Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act
Sponsored By: Senator Peter Welch
Introduced
Summary
Expands Medicaid coverage for former foster youth up to age 26. It would add people who entered legal guardianship with a kinship caregiver or who emancipated before 18, and remove the rule that they must have been enrolled in Medicaid while in foster care.
Show full summary
- Former foster youth — People under 26 who were in foster care at 18, who later entered kinship guardianship, or who emancipated before 18 would be eligible for Medicaid if they meet the age and income rules.
- State Medicaid agencies — Would need to update eligibility rules and enrollment systems to cover the newly eligible groups and apply the same income and age checks.
- Outreach and enrollment — States must establish outreach and enrollment programs by January 1, 2026, coordinated with the agency that administers foster care under Title IV-E and following best practices from the Secretary.
- Timing and scope — The expansion applies to individuals who attain 18 on or after January 1, 2026.
- Funding note — The bill does not include explicit new funding authorization or appropriation language for the required outreach program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More Medicaid for former foster youth
If enacted, this bill would let some former foster youth get Medicaid until age 26. You would qualify if you are under 26 and meet certain income or enrollment rules. One qualifying history is being in foster care at age 18, or a higher age the state chose. Another is leaving foster care to a kinship guardian. A third is being emancipated from foster care before age 18. This applies to people who turn 18 on or after January 1, 2026. If enacted, each state would also have to start an outreach and enrollment program by January 1, 2026. The program must work with the agency that runs foster care and follow best practices to find and sign up eligible people.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peter Welch
VT • D
Cosponsors
Angela Alsobrooks
MD • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Ron Wyden
OR • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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