A bill for an act relating to the establishment of the work without worry program under the medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities, and including effective date provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

SSB 1174 creates the Work Without Worry Program, enhancing healthcare access for employed individuals with disabilities by removing income and resource limits.

Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.

#disabilities #healthandhumanservicesdepartment #income #laborandemployment #long-termcare #medicalassistance #medicare #publicassistance #socialsecurity

Purpose and Intent

SSB 1174 aims to establish the Work Without Worry Program under the medical assistance program specifically designed for employed individuals with disabilities. The intent of the bill is to enhance access to healthcare coverage and support services for this demographic, thereby promoting employment and reducing barriers related to income and resource limits.

Key Provisions

Program Establishment: The bill creates the Work Without Worry Program, which will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Healthcare Coverage: The program will provide access to healthcare coverage under the medical assistance program, including long-term services and supports, as well as community-based services for eligible individuals.

Eligibility Criteria:

The bill eliminates existing eligibility requirements related to income and resource limits that currently restrict access to the Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD) program.
HHS is prohibited from implementing eligibility rules based on an individual’s income or resources, or their receipt of federal disability benefits.
Individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be automatically eligible for the program without needing to submit an application.

Premium Structure:

Participants may receive other healthcare coverage and, if they pay a copayment or premium for that coverage, they will not be required to pay a premium for the Work Without Worry Program.
The monthly premium for the program is set at 6% of an individual’s verified income, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.

Affected Parties

Employed Individuals with Disabilities: The primary beneficiaries of this program will be employed individuals with disabilities who previously faced barriers to accessing medical assistance due to income and resource limits.

Department of Health and Human Services: HHS will be responsible for administering the program and ensuring coordination of benefits with employer-provided health coverage.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: February 24, 2025

Current Status: The bill has been recommended for amendment and passage by a subcommittee as of February 25, 2025.

Next Steps: Following the subcommittee's recommendation, the bill will continue through the legislative process, potentially leading to further amendments or a vote in the full Senate.

Conclusion

SSB 1174 represents a significant shift in policy aimed at supporting employed individuals with disabilities by removing financial barriers to healthcare access. By establishing the Work Without Worry Program, the bill seeks to promote employment and improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Bill