Disaster Relief Medicaid Act
Sponsored By: Senator Richard Blumenthal
Introduced
Summary
Creates a disaster-specific Medicaid entitlement that would give disaster survivors streamlined access to Medicaid-like coverage for up to two years after a federal major disaster, national emergency, or public health emergency. It would speed enrollment and fund care with a full federal match to help states respond quickly.
Show full summary
- Families, pregnant people, children, and people with disabilities would qualify if family income is at or below 133 percent of the poverty line, or 200 percent for pregnant people, children, or disability benefit recipients. Unemployment income and FEMA individual assistance grants would be ignored when checking income, and children born during the relief period would get pregnancy-related coverage.
- State Medicaid programs and territories would have to cover survivors at least as fully as the survivor’s home State plan and would be reimbursed at a 100 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for disaster-related care and administration. CHIP in direct impact areas would also get 100 percent federal matching and adjusted allotments.
- Providers would be able to make presumptive eligibility decisions so survivors get immediate care while states verify status. States would provide retroactive coverage to the start of the relief period and allow enrollment pending verification with a 90-day application deadline after the relief period. The bill would let states expand mental health services and waive ordinary limits on home and community based services. CMS would contract with an independent nonprofit for a five-year evaluation of implementation and outcomes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal pays 100% for disaster Medicaid
If enacted, the federal government would pay 100% of the Medicaid share for medical care and related admin costs tied to the disaster relief period. CHIP care for targeted low-income children and pregnancy-related services in direct impact areas would also get a 100% federal match. States would not owe the usual state share for those disaster-related claims.
Who qualifies for disaster Medicaid
If enacted, states would have to offer two years of disaster relief Medicaid starting on the disaster declaration date for disasters on or after Jan 1, 2027. You would qualify if your income is under 133% of the poverty line (200% for pregnant people, children, or some disability-benefit recipients) or under your state's usual Medicaid rule. During the relief period, unemployment pay and FEMA individual assistance would not count as income. States would also pause eligibility checks for people who live in direct impact areas so they do not lose coverage during the relief period.
Expanded emergency waivers for host areas
If enacted, the HHS Secretary would be able to treat areas that host many evacuees as emergency areas for waiver authority. That change would let receiving communities use federal waiver flexibilities to keep and adapt health services for evacuees.
Repayment required for fraudulent claims
If enacted, a state could try to get back the full cost of disaster-relief Medicaid from you if a fair hearing finds you knowingly lied on your application. The HHS Secretary can tell a state not to recover costs if recovery is not cost-effective. Any recovered money would be treated as Medicaid overpayments.
Emergency home-care grants for states
If enacted, the bill would fund grants to up to 5 states to build emergency home- and community-based services corps. It would authorize $10 million a year from 2027 through 2032 for these grants. The corps would help older adults and people with disabilities after disasters.
Medicare Part B penalty pause
If enacted, months you are a disaster survivor during the relief coverage period would not count toward the Medicare Part B late-enrollment penalty. That could help prevent higher Part B premiums later for affected people.
HHS guidance and state reporting
If enacted, HHS would issue guidance by Jan 1, 2027 on speeding provider approvals and using out-of-state providers after disasters. HHS would also provide technical help and must report a plan to Congress within 180 days. States would send annual reports on how many survivors were found relief-eligible and how many enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Cosponsors
Brian Schatz
HI • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Adam Schiff
CA • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
John Fetterman
PA • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Tammy Duckworth
IL • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Elizabeth Warren
MA • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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