Promoting effective and innovative State responses to increased demand for medical assistance following a disaster

(a) Guidance on increasing access to providers Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall issue (and update as the Secretary determines necessary) guidance to State Medicaid directors on best practices for— (1) expediting the approval of providers under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or waiver of such plan, after a disaster to meet increased demand for medical assistance under the plan or waiver from relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1949(b)(5) of such Act) of disasters; and (2) using out-of-State providers to provide care to relief-eligible survivors of a disaster under the plan or waiver. (b) Technical assistance and support for innovative State strategies To respond to increased demand for medical assistance following a disaster (1) In general The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and support to States to develop or expand infrastructure, strategies, or innovations (including through State Medicaid demonstration projects) to provide medical assistance under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or a waiver of such a plan, to relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1949(b)(5) of such Act) of disasters. (2) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a report to Congress detailing a plan of action to carry out the requirements of paragraph (1). (c) HCBS emergency response corps grant program (1) In general The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection to States for the purpose of establishing or operating HCBS emergency response corps that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) to provide medical assistance for home and community-based services under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) to relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1949(b)(5) of such Act) of disasters. (2) Home and community-based services emergency response corps An HCBS emergency response corps meets the requirements of this paragraph if it satisfies the following requirements: (A) The corps serves a State with a history of hosting individuals who are forced to relocate to the State from another State due to a disaster (as determined by the Secretary). (B) The corps is composed of representatives from each of the following: (i) Voluntary organizations delivering assistance. (ii) Area agencies on aging (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)). (iii) The Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (iv) The State agency responsible for administering the State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.). (v) State agencies serving older adults and people with disabilities. (vi) Nonprofit service providers. (vii) Individuals who are enrolled in the State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) or the Children's Health Insurance Program under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.). (viii) Centers for independent living, as described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.). (ix) Other organizations that address the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. (C) The corps is led by a representative of a State or nonprofit agency serving older adults or people with disabilities. (D) The corps operates under a plan to meet the acute and long-term services and support needs of relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1949(b)(5) of the Social Security Act) of disasters, and is provided with the resources necessary to execute such plan. (3) Grants (A) Limitation The Secretary may award a grant under this subsection to up to 5 States. (B) Term of grants Grants under this subsection shall be made for a term of 2 years. (4) Authorization There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032, to remain available until expended.