SF 2181 (LSB 6040SS (2) 84)

SENATE FILE 2181

BY  DANIELSON

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to coverage under the medical assistance program for the costs associated with the birth of a child relinquished under the newborn safe haven Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 233.2, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   b.
  (1)  A newborn infant admitted to a hospital in accordance with this section and the infant’s mother, for the period of labor and delivery until the time of discharge of the mother from the hospital, are presumed eligible for coverage under the medical assistance program, subject to applicable federal regulation.
   (2)  If the physical custody of the newborn infant is relinquished at an institutional health facility, the state shall reimburse the institutional health facility for the institutional health facility’s actual expenses in providing care to the newborn infant and in performing acts necessary to protect the physical health or safety of the newborn infant. The reimbursement shall be paid from moneys appropriated for this purpose to the department of human services.
    Sec. 2.  Section 233.6, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  2A.  Public information announcements and other materials to develop awareness of the option for pregnant women who wish to voluntarily release custody of the newborn infant in accordance with this chapter to be eligible for coverage under the medical assistance program for labor and delivery charges and hospital costs associated with the birth until the time of discharge from the hospital.
    Sec. 3.  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE COVERAGE OF HOSPITAL COSTS RELATED TO BIRTH OF CHILD UNDER THE NEWBORN SAFE HAVEN ACT.  The department of human services shall amend the medical assistance state plan to provide for coverage of labor and delivery charges and the hospital costs associated with the birth of a child until the mother is discharged from the hospital, for a mother who wishes to voluntarily release custody by relinquishing physical custody of the child after birth pursuant to chapter 233.
EXPLANATION
   This bill provides for coverage under the medical assistance program (Medicaid) of a newborn infant and the infant’s mother for labor and delivery and hospital charges associated with the birth of a child until the mother is discharged from the hospital, when the mother wishes to voluntarily release custody by relinquishing physical custody of the newborn infant after birth pursuant to Code chapter 233, the newborn safe haven Act.
   The bill directs the department of human services (DHS) in consultation with the department of public health and the department of justice, to distribute public information announcements and other materials to develop awareness of the option for pregnant women who wish to voluntarily release custody of their newborn infant under the newborn safe haven Act to be eligible for coverage under the Medicaid program for labor and delivery charges and hospital costs associated with the birth until the time of discharge from the hospital.
   The bill also directs DHS to amend the Medicaid state plan to provide for the coverage described in the bill.