Relating to a "Texas Way" to reforming and addressing issues related to the Medicaid program, including the creation of an alternative program designed to ensure health benefit plan coverage to certain low-income individuals through the private marketplace.

HB 1903 proposes an alternative Medicaid program for Texas that would provide health coverage to low-income individuals through private insurance in the health benefit marketplace, rather than the traditional state-run Medicaid program. It sets eligibility at 100% of the federal poverty level and specifically includes children in foster care or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The bill establishes a "block grant" funding model for the program, requiring federal approval of a block grant system before implementation, and would replace current Medicaid operations with a risk-based managed care approach. This change directly affects approximately 1.3 million Texans currently enrolled in Medicaid who meet these income and category criteria.