A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 "Care for Military Kids Act" aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding Medicaid requirements for military families. It establishes new State plan requirements for determining the residency and coverage of active duty relocated individuals. These requirements apply to active duty members, those who retired within the last 12 months, and their dependents. The bill specifically addresses those who are on home and community-based services waiting lists during a relocation. Implementation begins on January 1, 2028, with specific provisions for state legislative delays.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
It preserves access to critical home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities through the relocation process.
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
It ensures continuity of healthcare access for military dependents moving between states by standardizing Medicaid residency treatment.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
It protects the continuity of essential home and community-based services for children of military families during relocation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Residency Treatment for Military Families: Under Section 2(a)(1)(A), active duty relocated individuals will be treated as residents of the State they have moved to, unless they choose otherwise. This provides clarity on eligibility for medical assistance.
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Continuity of Service Waiting Lists: According to Section 2(a)(1)(B), if an individual is on a home and community-based services waiting list at the time of relocation, they can remain on that list until a State assessment is completed or they elect to be removed. This helps maintain a person's place in the queue for essential services.
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Access to Medical Assistance: Section 2(a)(1)(C) allows for payment for medical assistance for the relocated individual in the new State, ensuring access to assistance in accordance with Secretary guidance.
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Implementation Funding: Section 2(b) provides $1,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement these new requirements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential for Denied Eligibility: As noted in Section 2(a)(1)(B)(i), an individual on a services waiting list may face a decision of denial regarding their eligibility after the State completes an assessment.
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Requirement to Exhaust Hearings: Under Section 2(a)(1)(B)(i), if a decision is a denial of eligibility, the individual must exhaust their opportunity for a fair hearing before the specific provision regarding the waiting list concludes.
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? — It preserves access to critical home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities through the relocation process. Would children be better off under this? — It protects the continuity of essential home and community-based services for children of military families during relocation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — It provides more stable access to Medicaid assistance for low-income military families during moves. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill includes support for those who have retired from active duty within the last 12 months. Would retired people be better off under this? — It extends Medicaid eligibility considerations to military members who have retired within the last year.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — It ensures continuity of healthcare access for military dependents moving between states by standardizing Medicaid residency treatment. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill improves Medicaid access for relocated military families by establishing residency requirements and preserving waiting list status.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes federal requirements for state Medicaid plans regarding military family residency. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill ensures individuals have the opportunity for a fair hearing in the event of a Medicaid eligibility denial.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill protects the interests of individuals requiring home and community-based services during military relocation.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — By including recent retirees, the bill extends certain Medicaid protections to military families transitioning out of service.
- 5/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina