The bill proposes an amendment to Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws, specifically adding a new section titled "Continued eligibility for certain recipients." This amendment addresses the potential end of the Covid-19 public health emergency and the implications for individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It notes that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act mandated continuous Medicaid enrollment during the emergency and that federal funds have supported this enrollment. The bill acknowledges the possibility that many enrollees may lose eligibility and coverage once the emergency ends, and it references the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 as a potential alternative source of coverage through enhanced Marketplace premium tax credits until 2025.

The bill stipulates that if the Covid-19 public health emergency is lifted or expires, resulting in a decrease in federal funds and the ineligibility of current recipients, the state shall maintain Medicaid and CHIP eligibility for those individuals through January 1, 2024, even if they would not meet the usual eligibility requirements. Furthermore, the Department of Human Services is tasked with investigating alternative coverage options for those who may become ineligible after this date. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage. There are no deletions from the current law indicated in the text provided.