Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act”.
Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act
A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure health insurance coverage continuity for former foster youth.
Sec. 2 Coverage continuity for former foster care children up to age 26
In general— Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX)) is amended—
in item (bb), by striking “are not described in or enrolled under” and inserting “are not described in and are not enrolled under”;
in item (cc), by striking “responsibility of the State” and inserting “responsibility of a State”; and
in item (dd), by striking “the State plan under this title or under a waiver of the” and inserting “a State plan under this title or under a waiver of such a”.
Effective date— The amendments made by this section shall take effect with respect to foster youth who attain 18 years of age on or after January 1, 2023.
Sec. 3 Guidance
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance to States, with respect to the State Medicaid programs of such States—
on best practices for—
removing barriers and ensuring streamlined, timely access to Medicaid coverage for former foster youth up to age 26;
tracking the Medicaid coverage status and verifying Medicaid eligibility for such youth; and
conducting outreach and raising awareness among such youth regarding Medicaid coverage options for such youth; and
which shall include examples of States that have successfully extended Medicaid coverage to former foster youth up to age 26.