Support for SF 807/HF 1182 Lowering TEFRA Parental Fees in Minnesota: A Case Study

Abstract

Medical Assistance (MA)-TEFRA is the Minnesota run option that provides children with disabilities, who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid due to their parents’ income, the state’s Medicaid coverage and services. Proponents believe this program directly affects the health and well-being of children living with disabilities in Minnesota and their families. MA-TEFRA requires that parents of eligible children pay using a sliding scale according to their income. However, there has been growing concern over parental fees, which some describe as causing additional burden on their family. Additional concerns include: the concept of in-equity due to limitations of accessing care for children needing more health services and resources; the complications and effects that outside private insurance coverage in combination with TE- FRA; and related Medicaid eligibility issues. Therefore, there was need to address these concerns about the parental fees for MA-TEFRA. Through the ongoing work by families and non-profit organizations to lower TEFRA parental fees, SF 807/ HF 1182 was passed in the 2017 Minnesota Legislative Session. This bill lowered parental fees by 13% for Minnesota families. In this case study, an analysis of the many different factors that played a role in the success of healthcare legislation, as well as a description of the role that or- ganizations, grassroots coalitions, legislative relationships, and personal stories play in increasing families’ access to necessary services to allow children with disabilities to be raised in the community as opposed to institutions.