Division 3 advances Medicaid budget changes in HB 2 including premiums, co‑pays and eligibility adjustments

House Finance Division 3 continued a work session on Medicaid on March 5, 2025, focusing on provisions in House Bill 2 that would change eligibility, cost sharing and other Medicaid program rules. The committee heard technical presentations from Nathan White, chief financial officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Henry Littman, the state Medicaid director, then posed detailed implementation questions to staff and attorneys.

Division members were presented with the governor's proposed HB 2 adjustments and a handout showing service additions and eligibility changes enacted since 2019. DHHS staff outlined the provisions that Division 3 most directly considered: a return to pre‑public‑health‑emergency income verification standards, establishment of prescription co‑payments up to $4, and a premium structure affecting higher‑income CHIP and a separate premium for Granite Advantage enrollees. DHHS officials told the committee the budget assumes the reinstituted verification and…