Democrats are moving quickly to expand Obamacare in Texas following last week’s election victories.
The first two bills filed in the Texas House on Monday, as lawmakers began submitting legislation ahead of the 2027 session, seek to expand Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
House Bill 101, filed by Democrat State Rep. John Bucy, would require the state to provide Medicaid coverage to individuals eligible for federal matching funds under Obamacare.
The legislation would take effect January 1, 2028, but only if Texas voters approve a constitutional amendment requiring the expansion.
The proposal comes less than a week after Democrats swept statewide offices, including the election of Democrat Gina Hinojosa as governor. Hinojosa has previously supported Medicaid expansion.
Under Republican control, the Texas legislature has resisted expanding Medicaid under Obamacare for more than a decade.
Opponents argue that Medicaid expansion creates long-term spending obligations, increases dependence on government-funded healthcare, and places additional pressure on healthcare systems.
While the federal government covers 90 percent of expansion costs, states are responsible for the remaining 10 percent.
Andrew McVeigh, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, criticized the proposals as an early indication of the incoming Democrat majority’s priorities.
“The first two bills filed in the House this session are both Obamacare expansion bills. Democrats have immediately moved to expand a broken system that has driven up the cost of healthcare for every Texan,” McVeigh told Texas Scorecard.
“Texas has rejected this expansion for years because it means permanent new spending, bigger entitlements, and higher taxes on hard-working families. That tells you where the new Democrat majority wants to go right out of the gate: grow government and raise taxes rather than address the affordability crisis head-on.”
Republicans still control the Texas Senate, potentially complicating Democrats’ efforts to advance the expansion.
The legislature will convene on January 12, 2027.
