Bills · S 1855
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1855Health
Care for Military Kids Act
INTRO MAY 22· LAST ACTION MAY 22
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because military families often face unique challenges due to frequent relocations, which can disrupt access to essential healthcare, particularly for family members requiring long-term care through Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services. Without this bill, a child or adult with special needs in a military family could lose their place on a critical waiting list for home care services or face significant delays in re-establishing Medicaid eligibility every time their family moves to a new state. This can lead to gaps in care, increased stress for families, and potentially force individuals into more expensive institutional care settings if home-based options are unavailable.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide crucial continuity of care and reduce administrative hurdles for vulnerable military family members, ensuring that a military move doesn't mean a loss of vital health support. If it doesn't pass, these families will continue to navigate a patchwork of state rules, potentially leading to significant delays and hardships in accessing necessary long-term care as they move to serve the country.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires states, starting January 1, 2028, to treat active duty military families (including active duty members, recent veterans, and their dependents who need Home and Community-Based Services) as residents for Medicaid purposes in their new state of relocation, unless they choose not to.
This provision simplifies Medicaid eligibility for military families needing specific long-term care services, preventing gaps in coverage due to frequent moves.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that if an eligible military family member was on a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiting list in their previous state, they will retain their place on that list when they relocate to a new state.
This ensures continuity of access to critical long-term care services for vulnerable military family members, preventing loss of progress due to relocation.
PROVISION 03
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to ensure access to medical assistance for these relocated military families in their new state.
This provides federal oversight to standardize how states provide care to relocating military families, promoting equitable access nationwide.
PROVISION 04
Appropriates $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the purpose of implementing these new requirements.
This funding supports states and the federal government in making the necessary changes to implement the bill's provisions.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Connecticut
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
127
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 22
Introduced in Senate
MAY 22
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1855
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 22, 2025
Last actionMay 22, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 22, 2025
Senate BillS 1855Health
Care for Military Kids Act
INTRODUCED MAY 22, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 22, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
