Bill > HB427

This bill expands Medicaid eligibility in Mississippi by adding a new category of recipients under paragraph (29) of Section 43-13-115, which would provide coverage for individuals who are under 65 years old, not pregnant, not enrolled in Medicare, and have an income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. The new provision specifically requires that these newly eligible individuals receive either a benchmark or benchmark equivalent health coverage as defined by federal law. This expansion aligns with provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that encourage states to broaden Medicaid access to low-income adults who previously did not qualify under existing categories. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, which allows time for implementation planning and potential federal approval. By creating this new eligibility category, Mississippi would potentially provide health insurance coverage to thousands of low-income adults who currently fall into a coverage gap, where they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to qualify for marketplace insurance subsidies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0427.xml