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Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act
3/13/2024, 10:20 PM
Summary of Bill S 2837
Specifically, the bill proposes to extend Medicaid coverage for former foster youth up to the age of 26, regardless of their income level. This extension would provide these young adults with access to essential healthcare services, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and preventative care.
Additionally, the bill seeks to improve coordination between state Medicaid programs and child welfare agencies to ensure that former foster youth are aware of and able to access the healthcare coverage available to them. This coordination is crucial in ensuring that these vulnerable young adults receive the support they need to thrive as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. Overall, the Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act aims to address the gaps in healthcare coverage that many former foster youth face as they age out of the system. By extending Medicaid coverage and improving coordination between agencies, the bill seeks to provide these young adults with the support they need to lead healthy and successful lives.
Congressional Summary of S 2837
Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act
This bill modifies provisions relating to the coverage of former foster youth under Medicaid.
Under current law, a state Medicaid program must cover former foster youth until the age of 26 if the youth were in a state's foster care system at the age of 18 and were enrolled in a state's Medicaid program while in foster care. The bill requires state Medicaid programs to also cover former foster youth who were placed in a legal guardianship with a kinship caregiver or were emancipated from foster care before the age of 18. The bill repeals the provision that requires former foster youth to have been enrolled in a state Medicaid program while in foster care in order to qualify for Medicaid coverage until the age of 26.
The bill also requires states to establish Medicaid outreach and enrollment programs for former foster youth.
