Support offered for foster kids' benefits bill
HB288, sponsored by Rep. David Hogue, R-Riverton, will allow foster youth to retain their Medicaid benefits until they turn 21. The current age cut-off is 19 years old.
The House Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed the bill, which has the support of the state Division of Child and Family Services and many child advocate organizations.
Through her extensive work with the homeless, community advocate Pamela Atkinson has seen many former foster children on the streets in poor physical and mental health.
HB288 is a step in the right direction in helping the state's 4,000 foster children, she said Monday. "If we can at least give them the certainty of having health careOwe know that that's one way to get them a good start out in the world."
The bill appropriates $450,000 in ongoing funds to the Medicaid program. At current rates, that amount would be matched by $1 million in federal funds.
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