Care for Military Kids Act
Sponsored By: Senator Richard Blumenthal
Introduced
Summary
Would treat active-duty military families who relocate as residents of their new State for Medicaid eligibility. This bill would create a new "active duty relocated individual" category and require States to count these people as residents for medical assistance determinations beginning January 1, 2028 unless the person opts out.
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- Families: Relocated service members, their dependents, and people who left active duty within 12 months would be eligible to be treated as State residents for Medicaid. This helps keep coverage decisions tied to the family move instead of losing benefits because of a change in State.
- People on HCBS waiting lists: If someone is on a Home and Community-Based Services waiting list when they move, they would remain on that list until the State completes an assessment and decides eligibility when a slot opens, or the person chooses to be removed.
- States and administration: States must provide Medicaid payments consistent with available assistance in the military service relocation State and could follow guidance the HHS Secretary issues. The bill also allows extra time for States that need state legislation to comply.
*This bill would increase federal spending by $1 million per year from 2026 through 2030 to implement these changes.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Medicaid residency for military families
If enacted, starting January 1, 2028, active-duty service members who move to another State and many who left within 12 months would be treated as residents of the new State for Medicaid unless they opt out. Dependents who move with the member would get the same treatment. People receiving home and community-based services (HCBS), or on an HCBS waiting list at relocation, would stay on the list until the State assesses them and decides when a slot opens (and any denial is appealed) or they choose removal. The new State must pay for covered care for these relocated people to the extent such care is available and consistent with HHS guidance.
State deadline delay for Medicaid rules
If enacted, the Medicaid changes would generally take effect on enactment, but HHS could let a State delay complying if the State needs to pass new laws (not funding laws). For those States, the deadline would be the first day of the first calendar quarter after the State legislature's first regular session that ends after one year from enactment. States with two-year sessions would count each year separately for the deadline.
HHS implementation funding for Medicaid
If enacted, the bill would give HHS $1,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to help put these Medicaid changes in place. The money would remain available until spent.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Cosponsors
Thomas Tillis
NC • R
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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