HB 751: 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 ties eligibility for some benefits to work-related activities. This bill would authorize the department to submit a formal request, known as 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 Georgia count childcare and caregiving as activities that satisfy work requirements. The bill defines childcare as full-time or part-time work by a parent caring for their own child or children at 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 carry out its terms. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• 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 in their residence.
• 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.

Georgians enrolled in or applying for Medicaid whose eligibility depends on meeting work-related activity requirements, particularly parents caring for children at home and family members caring for a disabled adult child or an aging parent. The Department of Community Health would carry out the new waiver request.

If the federal government approves the waiver, some Georgians who care for children or family members at home instead of working outside the home could qualify for Medicaid based on that caregiving, potentially expanding who is eligible for coverage under the program's work-related rules.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 49-4-142.6, authorizing the department to submit the Section 1115 waiver request by September 30, 2025.
• Section 1 defines 'childcare' and 'caregiving' for purposes of what activities can qualify under the waiver.
• Section 1 allows the department to implement the waiver's terms once approved by federal officials.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without signature.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

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

• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)Patrocinador principal
• 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
• childcare
• caregiving
• health policy
• federal waivers