Medicaid

This bill is about growing who can get Medicaid under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which is a U.S. law that helps people get health insurance, makes care more affordable, and protects patients from unfair treatment by insurance companies.

• The first part of the bill updates a part of the Texas Code about Human Resources, and adds a smaller part

  • Texas Code: A set of laws that explain how things work in Texas, including rules for schools, businesses, and the government.

  • Human Resources: a government office that helps with hiring, training, and supporting workers.

• The smaller part is about growing who can get medical help. It grew who can get medical help under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  

• If this bill is passed, the commission will offer medical help to everyone who asks for it if there is enough government money.

  • The Health and Human Services Commission: A Texas government office that helps people get care, food assistance, and other services they need to stay healthy.

  • The leader of the commission will set rules for giving medical assistance.  

• If this bill is passed, an write-up on growing who can get medical help is due by December 1 every year. The write-up will include: 

  • The number of people without health insurance.  

  • State healthcare costs, including from the general revenue fund.  

    • General revenue fund: Money collected by the government (from things like taxes) that is used to pay for public services like schools, roads, and healthcare.

  • Local healthcare costs.  

  • Costs for charity care and care that has not been paid for at hospitals.  

• The changes in this bill apply to decisions about who can het Medicaid and medical help that are made on or after January 1, 2026.  

  • The leader of the Health and Human Services Commission will grow who can get the help after the new law starts.

  • The leader needs to tell the right federal groups.  

• If this bill is passed, The state group can ask for any necessary permission from federal group before putting the changes into action.  

• If this bill is passed, the changes will start on January 1, 2026.