TennCare - As introduced, directs the bureau to establish a temporary TennCare benefits program to provide medical assistance on a temporary basis to certain individuals who do not qualify for enrollment in TennCare, CoverKids, or a successor program; requires the bureau to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services by December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.
HB 18 proposes a temporary health coverage program for Tennesseans who don't qualify for existing TennCare or CoverKids. It would provide up to 60 months of medical assistance (resetting at age 21) to individuals under 21 with income ≤138% of the federal poverty level, or adults ≥21 with similar income, subject to strict 12-month/24-month usage limits. The program requires a federal waiver by December 2025, uses 90% federal/10% state funding, and explicitly states it does not replace eligibility for regular programs (benefits pause if enrollment becomes possible). The bill failed in the Insurance Committee on March 5, 2025, and remains inactive.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Last action Mar 5, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
7
Committee
9
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Insurance Committee to 3/5/2025
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/5/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 2/26/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Insurance Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Tenncare Subcommittee for 2/11/2025
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Tenncare Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Insurance Committee- Government Operations for Review
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Charlie Baum
RRepublican
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