Care for Military Kids Act

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Senators Blumenthal and Tillis, changes Medicaid rules so military families do not lose their place in line for special healthcare services when they move to a new state for service.
• It specifically helps active-duty service members, those who retired in the last year, and their dependents who rely on 'home and community-based services,' which help people with disabilities or chronic conditions live at home.
• Currently, when military families move, they often have to restart the long waiting process for Medicaid services in their new state; this bill would treat them as residents immediately so they can keep their spot on waiting lists.
• The policy requires states to keep these families on their service lists until a full assessment is completed, ensuring that a move for work doesn't result in a sudden loss of medical support for a child.
• If passed, states would be required to follow these new residency and waiting list rules starting January 1, 2028.
• The bill provides $1 million per year from 2026 through 2030 to help the Department of Health and Human Services set up and manage these changes.

Impact Analysis

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Votes

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News

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