Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, filed two bills on Nov. 9, 2026, that would expand Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, according to Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. The measures were the first two House bills filed for the 90th Legislature on the opening day of pre-filing.
The proposals would create the same coverage threshold but use different approval paths. TFR reported that HB 102 would expand coverage through ordinary legislation, with a proposed effective date of Sept. 1, 2027. HB 101 would take effect Jan. 1, 2028, only if voters first approved a constitutional amendment. Neither proposal has been adopted.
The federal government would cover 90% of costs for the expansion group, leaving Texas responsible for 10%, TFR reported. The taxpayer advocacy organization cited potential Texas taxpayer costs of $1.3 billion to $2 billion annually over the following decade, possibly more, depending on adoption and medical-cost inflation. It linked to Paragon Institute testimony on Texas health insurance coverage in support of that estimate.
Those figures are not official fiscal estimates for the newly filed bills. As of TFR’s Nov. 10, 2026, article, neither measure had an official fiscal note; TFR said those assessments would not be available until after the legislative session began. The organization also reported that neither bill would add state-level work requirements or cost-sharing beyond federal requirements.
The filings follow unsuccessful efforts by Bucy during the 89th regular session. His earlier proposals included HB 197, tied to a constitutional amendment, and HB 262, which proposed expansion through ordinary legislation. HJR 21 was the companion constitutional amendment proposal.
TFR reported that both earlier bills were referred to House Appropriations in late February 2025 and received no hearing. Bucy also offered a budget floor amendment that failed, 63-85.
The new proposals arrive under different political leadership. TFR reported that Democrats would control the Texas House for the first time in more than 20 years and that Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa supported Medicaid expansion, citing a KERA report on her position.
Based on reporting from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. Read the original article: First House Bills Filed with Obamacare Expansion.
