Bill > SB118

This bill relates to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid, the federal health insurance program, to certain persons under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide Medicaid assistance to all individuals who apply and for whom federal matching funds are available under the ACA. It also requires the Commission to adopt rules regarding the provision of this expanded Medicaid coverage and to report annually on the effects of the expanded eligibility, including its impact on the number of uninsured individuals, state and local health care costs, and charity/uncompensated care. The bill applies to initial determinations and recertifications of Medicaid eligibility made on or after the date the new provisions are implemented, regardless of when the individual applied. The bill requires the Commission to take necessary actions to implement the expanded Medicaid eligibility as soon as possible after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2021.