An act to amend the social services law, in relation to eligibility limitations on certain medical services not mandated by federal law.

Synopsis:
Currently, Medicaid enrollees are eligible for both federally required services and state required services at the time of enrollment and there is no waiting period for services.  This bill seeks to reduce the types of services available to new Medicaid enrollees.

Status:
This bill was reported and committed to the Senate Health Committee on 5/22/07.  The bill was referred to the Assembly Social Services Committee and Senate Social Services Committee on 1/9/08. 

Summary of Provisions:

• If enacted, Medicaid enrollees will only be eligible for federally required Medicaid services such as: inpatient and outpatient care, physician care, and nursing home care for people under the age of 21, for the first ninety days.
• State required services such as; optometry, podiatry and prescription drugs coverage will not be available for the first ninety days.  After the initial ninety days, federally required and state required services will be available to new enrollees.

NASW-NYS Position:
NASW-NYS opposes this legislation and has issued a Memorandum in Opposition.