House Bill 15, also known as Senate Bill 501, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to expand Medicaid eligibility specifically for the treatment of patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease. The bill authorizes the governor to negotiate with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the terms of this Medicaid expansion, ensuring compliance with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The key change in the legislation involves the deletion of the existing section in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-5-126, and its replacement with new language that explicitly allows for this targeted expansion of Medicaid. This act is set to take effect immediately upon becoming law, emphasizing the urgency of providing necessary medical treatment for individuals suffering from sickle cell disease.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-5-126