TennCare

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass in its current session, so there are no further details on implementation or approval status from the federal government.

TennCare Expansion Act

This bill removes restrictions on the governor's ability to apply for federal Medicaid expansion and directs the governor to submit an application within six months.

What This Bill Does

• Removes a law that stopped the governor from applying for Medicaid expansion without permission from the state legislature.
• Requires the governor, through the commissioner of finance and administration, to send an application to the federal government for Medicaid expansion within 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Who It Names or Affects

• People in Tennessee with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level who could become eligible for Medicaid coverage.
• The governor and commissioner of finance and administration who are responsible for submitting the application.
• Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which will review and potentially approve the waiver request.

Terms To Know

Medicaid

A government program that provides health coverage to certain low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

Waiver

An exception or permission granted by the federal government allowing a state to operate its Medicaid program in a different way than usual.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass, so it has no current legal effect.
• The exact number of people who will become eligible for Medicaid cannot be determined until the waiver is approved and implemented.

Official Summary Text

Present law prohibits the
governor
from
mak
ing
any decision or obligat
ing
the state of Tennessee in any way with regard to t
he expansion of optional enrollment in the medicaid program pursuant to the
federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unless authorized by joint resolution of the general assembly.

This bill removes such prohibition and, instead, directs the
go
vernor, acting through the commissioner of finance and administration, to submit to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services an application for a new waiver, no later than 180 days after the effective date of this
bill
, that provides medical
assistance coverage for individuals whose gross annual income does not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level.
This bill clarifies that such a waiver
, if approved by the federal government and the commissioner of finance and administration, takes effect
immediately.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1356
By Akbari

HOUSE BILL 1393
By Pearson

HB1393
003055
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71,
Chapter 5, relative to medical assistance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-5-126, is amended by deleting the
section and substituting:
(a) The governor, acting through the commissioner of finance and
administration, is directed to submit to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid
services an application for a new waiver, no later than one hundred eighty (180) days
after the effective date of this act, that provides medical assistance coverage for
individuals whose gross annual income does not exceed one hundred thirty-eight
percent (138%) of the federal poverty level.
(b) A waiver requested pursuant to subsection (a), if approved by the federal
government and the commissioner of finance and administration, takes effect
immediately.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.