SB 657

relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid to all
individuals for whom federal matching money is available.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 32.02473 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.02473.  EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAID.  The
executive commissioner shall prepare and seek a waiver to the state
Medicaid plan under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. Section 1315) or other applicable federal law to expand to
the maximum extent permitted by federal law the categories of
individuals eligible for Medicaid benefits to include all
individuals for whom federal matching funds are available. The
(1)  maximize the reduction in the number of uninsured
(2)  promote personal responsibility with respect to
(3)  increase the efficiency of the delivery of health
(4)  increase the accessibility of health care
SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall apply for and actively pursue the waiver
required by Section 32.02473, Human Resources Code, as added by
this Act, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or any
other federal agency. The commission may delay implementing Section
32.02473, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, until the
waiver applied for under this section is granted.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.