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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid to certain |
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individuals diagnosed with certain mental health disorders for whom |
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federal matching money is available. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 32.02473 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.02473. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL |
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ASSISTANCE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission |
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shall provide medical assistance to all individuals: |
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(1) who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, |
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dysthymia, schizophrenia, or severe chronic depression; |
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(2) who have a family income that does not exceed 133 |
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percent of the applicable federal poverty level; |
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(3) who apply for the assistance; and |
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(4) for whom federal matching money is available. |
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(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary |
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to implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 32.02473, Human Resources Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to an initial determination or |
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recertification of eligibility of an individual for medical |
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assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, made on or after |
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the date the section is implemented, regardless of the date the |
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individual applied for that assistance. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as possible after the effective date of |
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this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall take all necessary actions to expand |
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eligibility for medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human |
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Resources Code, in accordance with Section 32.02473, Human |
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Resources Code, as added by this Act, including notifying |
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appropriate federal agencies of that expanded eligibility. |
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SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that any other waiver or authorization |
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from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that |
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provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the |
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waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision |
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until the waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |