An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Hospital Leave Days for MaineCare Recipients

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  Public Law 2013, chapter 1 limited the hospital and therapeutic leave days for MaineCare recipients; and

Whereas,  this legislation clarifies the number of allowable hospital leave days by specifying that MaineCare recipients are limited to 4 hospital leave days per hospital visit and one therapeutic leave day per year; and

Whereas,  the change to the amount of leave days was implemented March 25, 2013 and it is therefore imperative that this legislation take effect immediately; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. PL 2013, c. 1, Pt. A, §23, under the caption “HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (Formerly DHS),” in the 3rd occurrence of that part relating to “Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147,”  is amended by amending the initiative paragraph to read:

Initiative: Reduces funding by limiting hospital and therapeutic leave days in the MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Sections 45 and 67, to 4 hospital leave days per hospital visit and one therapeutic leave days day per year.

Sec. 2. Retroactivity. This Act applies retroactively to March 25, 2013.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill amends Public Law 2013, chapter 1 to clarify that the number of hospital and therapeutic leave days for MaineCare recipients is limited to 4 hospital leave days per hospital visit and one therapeutic leave day per year.