A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Disability Community Act of 2026 aims to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act. It seeks to provide a temporary higher Federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid expenditures. These expenditures must be associated with the cost of complying with specific Federal regulations. This applies to services in certain intermediate care facilities or home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The increased assistance would occur during the years 2027, 2028, or 2029. Additionally, the bill updates terminology across the Social Security Act to use more current language regarding disabilities.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill directly increases funding for services and updates language to be more respectful of the disability community.
- Scored +7
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill enhances support for individuals with disabilities and updates outdated, stigmatizing terminology in federal law.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides increased Medicaid support which benefits low-income households relying on these services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Federal Funding for Compliance: The bill provides a higher Federal medical assistance percentage of 90 percent for costs associated with complying with certain Federal regulations (Section 2(a)(3)). This could benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping cover the costs of services in intermediate care facilities or home and community-based services.
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Updated and Respectful Terminology: The bill implements numerous changes to replace outdated terms with updated language, such as replacing "mentally retarded" with "individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities" (Section 2(b)). This change is applied throughout various sections of title XIX of the Social Security Act.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Temporary Nature of Funding: The higher Federal medical assistance percentage is specific to expenditures made during a quarter in 2027, 2028, or 2029 (Section 2(a)(3)). This means the increased financial support is not permanent.
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Dependency on Secretary Determination: The increased funding is subject to the Secretary determining that the amounts expended are attributable to compliance with specific Federal regulations (Section 2(a)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill directly increases funding for services and updates language to be more respectful of the disability community. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides increased Medicaid support which benefits low-income households relying on these services.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill aims to improve services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through increased federal matching funds. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill increases the Federal medical assistance percentage for specific Medicaid expenditures related to intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill enhances support for individuals with disabilities and updates outdated, stigmatizing terminology in federal law.
- 7/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania