bill expanding Medicaid for certain mental health diagnoses

The text as introduced · 321 words

89R5349 CMO-D

By: Meza
H.B. No. 1920

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid to certain

individuals diagnosed with certain mental health disorders.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,

is amended by adding Section 32.02473 to read as follows:

Sec. 32.02473. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL

ASSISTANCE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission

shall provide medical assistance to all individuals:

(1) who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder,

dysthymia, schizophrenia, or severe chronic depression;

(2) who have a family income that does not exceed 133

percent of the applicable federal poverty level;

(3) who apply for the assistance; and

(4) for whom federal matching money is available.

(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary

to implement this section.

SECTION 2. Section 32.02473, Human Resources Code, as added

by this Act, applies only to an initial determination or

recertification of eligibility of an individual for medical

assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, made on or after

the date the section is implemented, regardless of the date the

individual applied for that assistance.

SECTION 3. As soon as possible after the effective date of

this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission shall take all necessary actions to expand

eligibility for medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human

Resources Code, in accordance with Section 32.02473, Human

Resources Code, as added by this Act, including notifying

appropriate federal agencies of that expanded eligibility.

SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act

a state agency determines that any other waiver or authorization

from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that

provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the

waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision

until the waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.