The Senate Finance Committee approved an HHS amendment that authorizes a contractor position focused solely on addressing the agency’s backlog of eligibility determinations and adds a semiannual reporting requirement.

Committee members said the change allows the contractor to work only on backlog reduction rather than broader duties. A friendly amendment added by a committee member requires the contractor to report every six months on progress to the governor, the speaker of the House, the senate president and the chairs of the two committees with jurisdiction.

Supporters described long-standing delays in eligibility determinations that impose financial strain on nursing homes and community providers and said the targeted contractor and the reporting schedule aim to provide accountability and measurable progress. Committee members voted and approved the item as amended.

The committee did not set a deadline for the contractor’s work or provide specific performance metrics in the floor discussion; those details will be part of contract specifications and follow-up oversight.