The bill, S.B. No. 638, proposes an expansion of Medicaid eligibility in Texas under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It introduces a new Subchapter H to Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code, which mandates that the commission provide medical assistance to all individuals who apply and qualify for federal matching funds as specified in the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, the executive commissioner is tasked with adopting rules to facilitate this provision. The bill also requires an annual report to be submitted by December 1 each year, detailing the effects of this expanded eligibility on various factors, including the number of uninsured individuals, state and local healthcare costs, and charity care expenses for hospitals.

The implementation of this expanded eligibility will apply only to new determinations or recertifications of medical assistance eligibility made after the section is put into effect. The executive commissioner is instructed to take necessary actions to expand eligibility promptly, including notifying federal agencies, and may delay implementation if additional waivers or authorizations are required. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()