Relating to the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid to certain individuals under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

HB 726 would require Texas to expand Medicaid eligibility to all low-income adults who qualify under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), using available federal matching funds. This directly affects Texans without health coverage who meet ACA income thresholds but are currently excluded from Texas Medicaid. The bill mandates that Texas Medicaid provide coverage to all eligible applicants starting January 1, 2026, with annual reports on impacts like uninsured rates and hospital costs. Implementation depends on voter approval of a 2025 constitutional amendment requiring Medicaid expansion. The policy change would align Texas with federal ACA Medicaid expansion requirements.