SB461: SB461 Department of Human Services; the single state agency responsible for the administration of the state Medicaid program; provide

Right now, the Department of Community Health is Georgia's single state agency for administering Medicaid, the government health coverage program for low-income and disabled residents. This bill would move that role to the Department of Human Services starting July 1, 2027. The bill rewrites definitions in Georgia's Medicaid law (O.C.G.A. § 49-4-141) so that references to the Department of Community Health and its board become references to the Department of Human Services and its structures. It requires the two departments to cooperate on transferring staff, rules, records, and pending claims, and directs Human Services to succeed to all of Community Health's Medicaid-related regulations and administrative orders as of that date. It also requires the Department of Human Services to submit any needed Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The bill would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it, though the actual transfer of Medicaid duties happens on July 1, 2027.

• Transfers administration of Georgia's Medicaid program from the Department of Community Health to the Department of Human Services effective July 1, 2027.
• Rewrites key definitions in Georgia's medical assistance law (O.C.G.A. § 49-4-141) so 'board,' 'commissioner,' and 'department' refer to Human Services instead of Community Health.
• Requires the Department of Human Services to succeed to all of Community Health's Medicaid rules, regulations, policies, and pending obligations as of June 30, 2027.
• Directs the two departments to cooperate on a transition plan to move Medicaid administration, staff, and records between agencies.
• Requires the Department of Human Services to seek any necessary federal approval, such as a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The change primarily affects the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services, along with their staff, boards, and commissioners. It also affects Georgians who rely on Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, and related medical assistance programs, since the agency handling their claims and eligibility would change.

For Medicaid recipients, providers, and state employees, the day-to-day agency processing claims, eligibility, and appeals would change hands in 2027. The bill sets up a formal transition period so records, rules, and pending claims carry over, aiming to avoid gaps in coverage or claims processing during the switch.

• Section 2 states that on and after July 1, 2027, Community Health's Medicaid-related powers and duties will be performed by the Department of Human Services.
• Section 6 makes the Department of Human Services the single state agency for administering the state medical assistance plan starting July 1, 2027.
• Sections 7 through 12 revise Medicaid definitions and related code sections so 'department,' 'board,' and 'commissioner' refer to Human Services rather than Community Health.
• Section 13 has Human Services assume, starting July 1, 2027, the functions currently retained by Community Health, including certifying provider standards and recipient eligibility.
• Section 14 requires Human Services to succeed to all of Community Health's Medicaid rules, regulations, policies, and pending rights and obligations in effect on June 30, 2027.
• Section 15 replaces 'Department of Community Health' with 'department' throughout several Code sections governing liens, records, audits, and hearings.
• Section 18 requires the Department of Human Services to submit any necessary Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Section 19 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's approval or the bill becoming law without signature, distinct from the 2027 transfer date.

1. 2026-02-05Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)Primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)

• Medicaid
• state agency reorganization
• health care administration
• Department of Human Services
• Department of Community Health