Bill would require verified data for Medicaid ex‑parte renewals; author and witnesses say change preserves program integrity
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Summary
Senate Bill 921 would require the state to use verified information (rather than unverified application cross‑matches) when conducting ex‑parte renewals of Medicaid eligibility. Sponsors said the change would preempt potential federal waivers that permit renewal on unverified SNAP or other assistance data; the committee left the bill pending and
Senate Bill 921 would require the state to rely on verified information before adding or renewing an individual’s Medicaid eligibility through ex‑parte (automatic) renewals. The bill’s sponsor said the change is intended to protect program integrity and to preempt future federal waivers that might permit states to use unverified information from other public‑benefit applications as the basis for Medicaid eligibility.
Senator Sparks told the committee that ex‑parte renewals have historically required verification and that the proposed committee substitute would ensure the state continues to confirm eligibility rather than rely on unverified cross‑program data. Roy Leonardson of FGA Action praised HHSC’s existing integrity work and supported the proposed change, describing it as a modest step to prevent fraud and preserve public trust.
The committee reserved the bill for public testimony later in the hearing.
