Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 10–Committee on Judiciary
Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Urging the Department of Human Resources to review the federal Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 to determine the feasibility of amending the state plan for Medicaid to create a new Medicaid eligibility group for young adults who have “aged out” of foster care.
Whereas, Each year, more than 20,000 young adults across the country are discharged from the foster care system upon reaching 18 years of age; and
Whereas, These young adults face tremendous challenges and
financial difficulties in coping with their transition from foster care to
independent living; and
Whereas, The majority of those young adults do not receive the family
support typically given to persons entering adulthood; and
Whereas, In addition, many of young adults leaving foster care at 18
years of age do not have employment through which they may obtain
health care coverage if they become ill, have an accident or fall victim to
violence; and
Whereas, A 1995 report of the General Accounting Office indicates
that studies have shown that children in foster care suffer more frequent
and more serious medical, developmental and psychological problems
than most other groups of children; and
Whereas, While in foster care, most of these children were eligible for
Medicaid or other governmental health care programs, but upon reaching
18 years of age, they lose this coverage; and
Whereas, Therefore, many young adults who leave foster care at 18
years of age have significant and continuing health problems but often
only have limited access to adequate health care and mental health
services; and
Whereas, The bipartisan federal Foster Care Independence Act of
1999 offers an opportunity for states to assist these young adults until they
are 21 years of age and in a better position to provide their own health care
coverage; and
Whereas, The Act provides considerable flexibility to states desiring to
offer health care coverage to this group of young adults between 18 and 21
years of age; and
Whereas, Because this state is responsible for the nonfederal share of
Medicaid payments, a determination of the cost of such a new eligibility
group must be made; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate
Concurring, That the Nevada Legislature hereby urges the Department
of Human Resources to review the federal Foster Care Independence Act
of 1999, and to determine the feasibility of amending the State Medicaid
Plan to create a new Medicaid eligibility group for young adults who have
“aged out” of foster care; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit
a copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Human
Resources.
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