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H 3377

Medicaid expansion

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Bauer and 4 co-sponsors

The measure asks voters in 2026 if South Carolina should expand Medicaid to adults 65 and under with income up to 133% FPL starting 2028, but is advisory only.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · H 3377

Summary — H 3377 (Joint Resolution on Medicaid Expansion Advisory Referendum)

Note: The provided bill text appears to combine two unrelated items (a Massachusetts bill about microfilm/registries of deeds and a South Carolina joint resolution about Medicaid expansion). This summary focuses on the Medicaid expansion joint resolution text included in the submission (the advisory referendum).

Purpose

To require the State Election Commission to hold a statewide advisory referendum at the time of the 2026 General Election asking South Carolina voters whether the state should participate in Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act so that, beginning January 1, 2028, non‑elderly adults (age 65 and younger) with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level (with a 5% income disregard) would be eligible for Medicaid.

Key provisions

  • Mandates a statewide advisory referendum to be held concurrently with the 2026 General Election.
  • Ballot question (Yes/No) asks whether South Carolina should participate in Medicaid expansion so that, beginning Jan 1, 2028, adults age 65 and younger with income at or below 133% FPL (plus a 5% disregard) become eligible for Medicaid as provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111‑148) and its amendments.
  • Directs that state election laws apply to the referendum, with appropriate modifications.
  • Requires the State Board of Canvassers to publish and certify the referendum results to the Governor and each chamber of the General Assembly.
  • Specifies the cost of the referendum shall be paid from funds appropriated to the State Election Commission.
  • States the referendum results are advisory only (non‑binding).
  • Takes effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Who would be affected

  • South Carolina registered voters: will be asked to express their opinion via the advisory ballot in 2026.
  • Adults age 65 and younger in South Carolina with incomes up to the stated threshold would be the population described in the ballot question (if expansion were later enacted).
  • State agencies involved in administering elections (State Election Commission, State Board of Canvassers) and the General Assembly (for any follow‑up legislative action) would be operationally affected.
  • The resolution itself does not change Medicaid eligibility or appropriations; any actual expansion would require subsequent legislative or administrative action and would affect state budgeting and potentially draw federal Medicaid matching funds.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Referendum to be held at the same time as the 2026 General Election.
  • Referendum asks about eligibility beginning January 1, 2028.
  • The measure is an advisory joint resolution and does not itself implement Medicaid expansion; it only records voter sentiment and certifies results to state leaders.
  • Costs borne by funds appropriated to the State Election Commission.
  • Effective upon Governor’s approval.

Practical impact

  • The resolution serves as a formal statewide poll to guide legislators and the executive branch on Medicaid expansion policy. Because it is advisory, it does not by itself enact eligibility changes or appropriate funds. If voters approve the question, the General Assembly and the Governor would still need to take legislative and administrative steps to implement expansion and manage fiscal/legal details (including federal matching, eligibility systems, and budgetary effects).

If you want, I can:
- Draft a short plain‑language voter guide explaining what the ballot question means; or
- Provide likely next legislative steps and fiscal considerations if the advisory referendum passes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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