Disaster Relief Medicaid Act
Sponsored By: Representative Panetta
Introduced
Summary
A new disaster-triggered Medicaid relief pathway would create time-limited, federally supported medical coverage for people hit by qualifying disasters, with streamlined enrollment and presumptive eligibility. It would start for disasters declared after 2026 and cover survivors for up to two years from the declaration date.
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- Families, children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities would qualify based on family income up to the greater of 133% of the Federal Poverty Line or higher home-State standards. Pregnant people, children, and some people with disabilities could qualify up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line and newborns born during the relief period get Medicaid treatment like other children.
- States and providers must offer a streamlined application and a presumptive eligibility process so people get coverage quickly. States cannot do eligibility redeterminations for people living in Direct Impact Areas during the relief period and must honor home-State payment parity or usual and customary rates.
- The federal government would pay 100% of Medicaid costs for residents of Direct Impact Areas during the relief period and provide 100% matching for certain CHIP disaster spending. The law would create Home- and Community-Based Services Emergency Response Corps grants for rapid HCBS support, fund up to five States, and authorize $10 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal pays 100% disaster Medicaid
The federal government would pay 100% of Medicaid costs for people who live in a disaster impact area during the relief period. States would also get a 100% match for CHIP coverage for affected kids and pregnancy care. States would receive extra CHIP funds up front based on projections, with a later true-up to match actual spending.
Medicaid help for disaster survivors
Starting January 1, 2027, if a major disaster, national emergency, or public health emergency is declared, survivors in posted impact areas could get temporary Medicaid for up to two years. Your home state would be where you lived on the declaration date, and losing housing or work from the disaster would not block eligibility. You could qualify if family income is at or below 133% of poverty (200% if pregnant, a child, or on Social Security disability) or your home state’s usual limit. States would not count unemployment pay or FEMA grants. States would use a short form, accept self-attestation, and let qualified providers give presumptive coverage right away. Coverage would last the whole relief period, with care covered back to day one if you apply by 90 days after it ends. If you get care in another state, that state would cover what your home state covers and pay providers at least home-state or usual local rates. Babies born during the period would be covered.
Medicare and waiver relief in disasters
If you are a disaster survivor, months that fall in the relief period would not count against your Medicare Part B late-enrollment clock. Territories would be able to keep extra Medicaid money tied to the 100% match outside some federal caps. The Secretary could also treat areas with many evacuees as emergency areas for waiver flexibilities during national emergencies.
Five-year independent review and reports
The Secretary would hire an independent nonprofit to study how the program works for disaster survivors. The study would start within 24 months, run five years, and review access to care, provider capacity, and state compliance. An interim report would be due three years after the study starts and a follow-up two years later.
Grants for emergency home care teams
The government could give grants to up to five states to run emergency home- and community-based care teams. It would authorize $10 million each year from 2027 through 2032, with two-year grants. These teams would help older adults and people with disabilities during disasters.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Panetta
CA • D
Cosponsors
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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