MADISON, WI… Bipartisan legislation authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) and Representative Robert Brooks (Saukville) to grant greater financial flexibility to disabled individuals who are working and receiving support through the Medical Assistance Purchase Plan (MAPP), Senate Bill 252, passed the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development Thursday on a 5-0 vote.
Disabled adults in Wisconsin on Medicaid are supported in their workforce participation through enrollment in MAPP, a buy-in program open to individuals at or below 250% of the federal poverty level who have under $15,000 in assets. Those using MAPP can open an Independence Account and deposit 50 percent of their gross work earnings to protect Medicaid coverage. SB 252 as amended would remove the cap on earnings that can be deposited for those qualified to participate in the program, and would also exempt up to $40,000 in funds obtained as a result of an inheritance payment.
“Disabled individuals who are able and want to work should not be penalized for attempting to improve their life circumstances,” said Jacque. “This legislation will encourage individuals with disabilities to live full, independent and productive lives, and I am pleased to see this effort to protect disabled Wisconsin workers on Medicaid advance.”
This legislation has the formal support of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and is a follow-up to previous legislation authored by Senator Jacque, removing a number of other disincentives to taking on expanded work opportunities through the MAPP program.
SB 252 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. The companion legislation, Assembly Bill 253, passed the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care on a unanimous vote in September. If passes both legislative chambers, the bill will be sent to the governor’s desk for final approval.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door, Kewaunee and Calumet Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
