Appropriations committee advances waiver-based bill to fund housing vouchers and reentry services for Medicaid members

Representative Taggart presented Senate Bill 308 to the House Appropriations Committee, describing a recently authorized waiver received by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing that will allow the state to draw federal matching funds for two groups: (1) Medicaid members experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those transitioning from or at risk of nursing facility placement, and (2) individuals transitioning from incarceration who need pre-release services.

Taggart said the funding will allow the department to provide six months of housing vouchers and tenancy-support services — including lease and utility management and tenancy-rights assistance — to eligible Medicaid members. For people transitioning out of incarceration, Taggart said the program would finance pre-release target case management, physical and behavioral health screenings, medication-assisted treatment and a 30-day supply of medication.

The bill drew no witness testimony and no committee amendments. Taggart moved the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the committee approved the motion on a roll call vote of 8 to 3.

Committee discussion was minimal; representatives asked no substantive questions during the sponsor presentation and there were no public witnesses or registered opponents during the hearing. Sponsors framed the bill as a way to leverage federal matching funds through the waiver to address housing instability and reentry needs tied to Medicaid populations.

Senate Bill 308 will proceed to the Committee of the Whole for further action.