S. 2071 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jun 12, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands Medicaid coverage after disasters
When a major disaster, national emergency, or public health emergency is declared, this bill creates Medicaid coverage for people who lived or worked in the affected area. The coverage lasts for two years and has to be at least as good as what the state normally offers. The federal government pays the full cost of this coverage and related administration, and an independent nonprofit will study how well it works.
How it affects you
If you're displaced or lose your job because of a federally declared disaster or emergency, you could qualify for Medicaid coverage for up to two years, even if you wouldn't normally be eligible. This means you'd have access to health insurance without waiting for your situation to stabilize after the disaster.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jun 12, 2025)
Disaster Relief Medicaid Act
This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to Medicaid coverage of individuals affected by a federally declared major disaster, national emergency, or public health emergency.
In particular, the bill provides for specific coverage under Medicaid for individuals who meet specified income eligibility standards and were either residents of the impacted area or were employed in the impacted area (and subsequently lost employment). Coverage is effective for two years after the date of the disaster or emergency declaration.
State Medicaid programs must provide coverage that is at least as comprehensive as the state's Medicaid coverage and the Medicaid coverage of the individual's home state, as applicable. The bill applies a 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) to such coverage and related administrative expenses.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must contract with a nonprofit to evaluate the impact of the bill's implementation.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2071
A BILL
Disaster Relief Medicaid Act
Sponsor: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) · Introduced Jun 12, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 12, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.”
Sections
Sections · 8
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Medicaid relief for disaster survivorsNo change
- Sec. 3Promoting effective and innovative State responses to increased demand for medical assistance following a disasterNo change
- Sec. 4Targeted Medicaid relief for direct impact areasNo change
- Sec. 5Authority to waive requirements during national emergencies with respect to evacuees from an emergency areaNo change
- Sec. 6Exclusion of disaster relief coverage period in computing Medicare part B late enrollment periodNo change
- Sec. 7Effective dateNo change
- Sec. 8Impact evaluation and reportingNo change