Gov. Lee signs waiver helping children with severe medical needs
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation late last week, known as the Katie Beckett waiver, ensuring some 3,679 children with the most complex medical needs in the state will receive government health care support.
Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, sponsored the waiver, benefiting thousands of families.
Qualifying children will now receive health care services at home with additional support and government dollars. The waiver, or House Bill 498, directs the Tennessee Commissioner of Finance & Administration to submit a waiver to the federal government for the purpose of establishing a Katie Beckett program.
“I was grateful that I had a small part in passing what many consider the most important piece of legislation by the House of Representatives this past session,” Whitson said about the bill Lee signed Thursday that drew widespread bipartisan support.
“It was a team effort by the leaders of the disability community, the Department of Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities, the entire General Assembly and most of all, the families of the children this legislation will benefit.”
The measure requires the program to be designed in consultation with the Tennessee Commissioner of the Department of Intellectual and Development Disabilities (DIDD) and be composed of two parts.
According to the legislation, Part A, a traditional Katie Beckett program, is designed to provide a pathway to eligibility for Medicaid services and essential wraparound home and community-based services regardless of parental income levels, as well as resources for children under 18 years of age with severe functional limitations.
Part B, which would be administered by DIDD, must be designed as a Medicaid diversion plan and offer a capped package of essential wraparound services and supports as well as premium assistance on a sliding fee scale for children under 18 who meet the appropriate level of care criteria.
The bill also requires a joint report by TennCare and DIDD to be issued annually to the state House TennCare Subcommittee and Senate Health Committee.
“I am so proud of our House Republican Caucus for leading on this important issue, and I am grateful for the support we received from House leadership and the Tennessee Disability Coalition who helped make this happen for our citizens who need these services the most,” Whitson said.
“I have met so many loving individuals and families while working on this initiative, and I am pleased the Governor has signed this bill into law. This is truly a great day for our state.”
The waiver program provides two to one matching from the federal government. The state will cover one third of the cost, or about $27.3 million. The federal expenditure is estimated to be $49.4 million for the program.
Whitson serves as the chairman of the Infrastructure Subcommittee and is a member of the Transportation Committee, Health Committee, and the Public Health Subcommittee.