By January 1, 2023, existing law requires the DSS commissioner to provide state-funded medical assistance, within available appropriations, to children, regardless of their immigration status, who are not eligible for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or affordable employer-sponsored insurance, and have household incomes:

1. up to 201% of the federal poverty limit (FPL) without an asset limit (aligning with HUSKY A limits under Medicaid) or
2. over 201% and up to 323% of FPL (generally aligning with HUSKY B limits under CHIP).

The bill expands this requirement by applying it to children ages 12 and under, rather than ages 8 and under as current law requires. Under the bill, a child who is eligible for assistance under these provisions must continue to receive it until he or she is 19 years old, as long as he or she continues to (1) meet income requirements and (2) be ineligible for Medicaid, CHIP, and affordable, employer-sponsored insurance.

Existing law requires the Office of Health Strategy, in consultation with DSS and others, to study the feasibility of offering health care coverage for income-eligible children ages 9 to 18, regardless of immigration status, who are not otherwise eligible for other programs. The study is due to the Appropriations, Human Services, and Real Estate committees by July 1, 2022 (CGS § 19a-754e).