HB 534 -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE LIENS

SPONSOR:  Hohulin

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Social
Services, Medicaid and the Elderly by a vote of 12 to 0.

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to provide
notice that the state debt created by the receipt of medical
assistance benefits may be enforced by a lien against
recipients' property.  This notice will be given to all medical
assistance applicants and recipients, their spouses, and the
guardians of incapacitated applicants and recipients.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the notification required by
the bill will provide for informed consent and will eliminate
any surprises concerning property liens individuals may
experience following the death of a family member.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Hohulin.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Debra Cheshier, Research Analyst

HB 534 -- Medical Assistance Liens

Co-Sponsors:  Hohulin, Steen

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to provide
notice that the state debt created by the receipt of medical
assistance benefits may be enforced by a lien against
recipients' property.  This notice will be given to all medical
assistance applicants and recipients, their spouses, and the
guardians of incapacitated applicants and recipients.