House Bill 1151
By: Representatives Park of the 107th, Hugley of the 141st, Miller of the 62nd, Gisler of the
121st, Herring of the 145th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for the expansion of Medicaid; to
provide for definitions; to provide for appropriations; to authorize the Department of
Community Health to submit a waiver request for a state plan amendment for the expansion
of Medicaid; to provide for reporting; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for
related matters; to provide for legislative notification and approval; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
medical assistance generally, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"49-4-159.5.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Eligible individual' means an individual who:
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<ins>(A) Is an adult between 19 and 64 years of age with an annual income that is equal to
or less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level and is not eligible for other classes
of medical assistance;
(B) Has been authenticated to be a United States citizen or a qualified alien as defined
in Section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), as amended; and
(C) Is in compliance with the community engagement requirements as described in
Section 71119 of the Working Family Tax Cuts Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-21).
(2) 'Medicaid expansion program' means an expansion of the Medicaid program in
accordance with this Code section.
(b) Subject to appropriations and any necessary approvals, the Medicaid program shall
include the Medicaid expansion program in accordance with this Code section.
(c) On or before December 31, 2026, the department shall submit to the United States
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services
pursuant to Section 1115 of the federal Social Security Act a waiver request along with
other necessary amendments for the Medicaid expansion program under the federal Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), as amended, and any regulations or
guidelines issued under such acts in accordance with this Code section. The waiver request
shall provide for the enrollment of certain eligible individuals into Medicaid managed care
plans.
(d) If the Medicaid expansion program provided for in this Code section is approved, the
department shall immediately report to the General Assembly that such expansion is
operational and annually on or before December 31 of each year shall report to the General
Assembly:
(1) The number of individuals enrolled in the Medicaid program and the number of
eligible individuals enrolled in the Medicaid expansion program;
(2) Costs incurred by the state for the Medicaid expansion program;
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<ins>(3) Estimated costs for the implementation of the Medicaid expansion program for the
current and following state fiscal year; and
(4) Recommendations to control costs of the Medicaid expansion program.
(e) The department shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations consistent with
and necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 2.
This Act shall be considered legislative notification for purposes of Code Section 49-4-142.1
and legislative approval for purposes of Code Section 49-4-142.2.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.