ABC Act

Hozzl · 2025-04-18T17:45:37Z

Explore the details of House Bill 2491 ABC Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Health. Stay informed on legislative developments.

4/18/2025, 5:45 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2491

Bill 119 HR 2491, also known as the Family Caregiver Support Act, aims to streamline and simplify the processes, procedures, forms, and communications for family caregivers assisting individuals in accessing and utilizing benefits under Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs. The bill requires the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to conduct a comprehensive review of the current systems in place and make recommendations for improvements.

The goal of the bill is to make it easier for family caregivers to help their loved ones navigate the complex eligibility requirements, enrollment processes, and maintenance of coverage and benefits under these important programs. By simplifying the paperwork and communication channels, the bill seeks to reduce the burden on caregivers and ensure that individuals receive the support they need in a timely and efficient manner.

Overall, the Family Caregiver Support Act aims to improve the overall experience for both caregivers and individuals seeking assistance from Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs. It emphasizes the importance of supporting family caregivers in their crucial role of providing care and assistance to their loved ones.

Congressional Summary of HR 2491

Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act or the ABC Act

This bill requires federal agencies to review and modify the administrative processes related to Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Social Security programs in order to streamline these processes for family caregivers.

Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) must review processes related to eligibility determinations, applications, forms, and communications for these programs and identify ways to simplify and streamline these processes for family caregivers (e.g., reducing the need for family caregivers to submit the same information for multiple programs). The CMS and SSA must solicit input from family caregivers and state and regional organizations, implement any identified improvements, and report on these efforts to Congress.

In addition, the CMS must issue a letter to state Medicaid and CHIP programs that encourages states to conduct a similar review and that provides potential improvements.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 2491

Bill HR 2491 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 31, 2025. Bill HR 2491 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on March 31, 2025. Bill HR 2491's most recent activity was Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. as of March 31, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2491

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

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Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2491

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2491

To require the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to review and simplify the processes, procedures, forms, and communications for family caregivers to assist individuals in establishing eligibility for, enrolling in, and maintaining and utilizing coverage and benefits under the Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs respectively, and for other purposes.