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SB 981 Connecticut Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT EXPANDING MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR OLDER PERSONS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SB 981 expands Medicaid eligibility for older adults and people with disabilities in Connecticut by raising the income limit to 159% of the temporary family assistance program's income threshold (up from previous levels). It removes asset limits for this group, allowing individuals with savings or property to qualify if they meet the income standard. The bill requires the state to provide applicants with written notices explaining how property transfers or income levels affect eligibility. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns Connecticut's Medicaid rules with federal income calculation standards.
Issues: ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for seniors/disabled by raising income limits and removing asset barriers, increasing access to healthcare coverage.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action May 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Proposed Bill → Committee Bill · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended from a proposed version to a committee version, changing the bill number and LCO number, adding co-sponsors, and significantly expanding the Medicaid eligibility criteria beyond the original focus on SSI cost-of-living adjustments. The committee version now includes broader income thresholds, asset rules for minors, and detailed provisions about property dispositions and veteran benefits.
Scope change
Expanded from a narrow focus on SSI cost-of-living adjustments to include broader Medicaid eligibility criteria covering various income levels, age groups, and specific benefit exclusions.
TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from Proposed Bill No. 981 to Committee Bill No. 981, with LCO number updated from 2921 to 5737.

REQUIREMENT

Added co-sponsors to the bill including Senators and Representatives from various districts.

Added requirements for the Commissioner to provide applicants with written statements about property disposition effects, income limits, and available home visiting services.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed from a simple statement of purpose to detailed statutory language establishing specific income thresholds (159% of benefit amount for certain groups, 196% of federal poverty level for minors) and asset rules.

Added provisions excluding Aid and Attendance pension benefits for veterans and certain Title II income for Disabled Adult Children from income calculations.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective date of July 1, 2025 for the amended section 17b-261(a).

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
3
Committee
5
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human Services
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
upper
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human Services
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.