HB 1393

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.