bill seeks a federal waiver to expand Medicaid

The text as introduced · 312 words

89R1093 MM-D

By: Johnson
S.B. No. 657

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid to all

individuals for whom federal matching money is available.

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 MEDICAID. The

executive commissioner shall prepare and seek a waiver to the state

Medicaid plan under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42

U.S.C. Section 1315) or other applicable federal law to expand to

the maximum extent permitted by federal law the categories of

individuals eligible for Medicaid benefits to include all

individuals for whom federal matching funds are available. The

waiver must be designed to:

(1) maximize the reduction in the number of uninsured

residents of this state;

(2) promote personal responsibility with respect to

health care;

(3) increase the efficiency of the delivery of health

care services;

(4) increase the accessibility of health care

services; and

(5) reduce health care costs.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission shall apply for and actively pursue the waiver

required by Section 32.02473, Human Resources Code, as added by

this Act, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or any

other federal agency. The commission may delay implementing Section

32.02473, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, until the

waiver applied for under this section is granted.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.