HB751: HB751 Community Health, Department of; submit a Section 1115 waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for Medicare and Medicaid Services; authorize

Georgia's Medicaid program, run by the Department of Community Health, currently sets certain work or activity requirements for some enrollees. This bill would authorize the department to submit a request, called a Section 1115 waiver, to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by September 30, 2025. The waiver would ask the federal government to let childcare and caregiving count as qualifying activities for Medicaid purposes. The bill defines childcare as full-time or part-time work by a parent caring for their own child or children in their own home, and caregiving as full-time or part-time work by a family member caring for an adult child with a disability or an aging parent. If the federal government approves the waiver, the department would be authorized to take the steps needed to put its terms into effect. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Authorizes the Department of Community Health to submit a Section 1115 waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by September 30, 2025.
• Asks the federal government to allow childcare and caregiving to count as qualifying activities under Georgia's Medicaid program.
• Defines 'childcare' as full-time or part-time work by a parent caring for their own child or children at home.
• Defines 'caregiving' as full-time or part-time work by a family member caring for an adult child with a disability or an aging parent.
• Authorizes the department to implement the waiver's terms and conditions once the federal government approves it.

Medicaid enrollees in Georgia who care for children or for an adult child with a disability or an aging parent, the Department of Community Health, and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which must approve the waiver before any changes take effect.

If the federal government approves the waiver, Georgians on Medicaid who spend their time caring for their own children or for a disabled adult child or aging parent could have that caregiving count toward any program activity requirements, rather than needing separate paid work.

• Adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 49-4-142.6, to Georgia's medical assistance laws.
• Sets a deadline of September 30, 2025, for the Department of Community Health to submit the Section 1115 waiver request.
• Defines 'childcare' and 'caregiving' for purposes of the new Code section.
• Authorizes the department to take necessary steps to implement the waiver's terms once approved.
• Section 2 makes the Act effective immediately upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without his signature.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-03-13House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-10House Hopper (House)

• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)Primary sponsor
• Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
• Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)

• Medicaid
• health policy
• caregiving
• childcare
• Department of Community Health