Bill > HB262

This bill expands Medicaid eligibility in Texas by requiring the state health commission to provide medical assistance to all individuals who qualify for federal matching funds under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill mandates that the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission adopt rules for implementing this expanded medical assistance and requires an annual report to state leadership detailing the impacts of the expansion. The annual report must specifically address four key areas: the number of uninsured individuals in Texas, state and local health care costs, and charity and uncompensated care costs for hospitals. The Medicaid expansion will apply to new eligibility determinations and recertifications starting from the implementation date, with the bill set to take effect on September 1, 2025. If federal waivers are needed for implementation, the state agency can request those waivers and delay implementation until they are granted. This bill represents a significant step toward increasing healthcare access for low-income individuals in Texas by leveraging federal funding available through the ACA.

Budget and Finance

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB262