HB 2204 Summary

• Establishes the "Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program" for employed disabled individuals with earned income up to 250-300% of federal poverty level, with sliding scale premiums for those exceeding 100% of poverty level.

• Makes eligibility for non-federally mandated MO HealthNet benefits contingent on annual appropriations, allowing benefits to be reduced or eliminated if funding is not appropriated in a given fiscal year.

• Requires optional MO HealthNet benefits not required under federal law to only be provided if appropriations are made available, with ineligible persons no longer deemed eligible if funds are not appropriated.

• Makes state children's health insurance program (SCHIP) coverage subject to annual appropriations, with coverage ending if no funds are appropriated for a fiscal year.

• Establishes broad authority for departments to reduce expenditures for non-federally mandated public assistance benefits in response to gubernatorial withholdings, including through emergency prior authorization rules, without requiring hearings when reductions are program changes under law.