Sense of Congress on maintenance of effort provisions regarding children’s health

It is the sense of the Congress that— (1) the maintenance of effort provisions added to sections 1902 and 2105(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a; 42 U.S.C. 1397ee(d)) by sections 2001(b) and 2101(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act were intended to maintain the eligibility standards for the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and Children’s Health Insurance Program under title XXI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.) to protect vulnerable and disabled adults, children, and senior citizens, many of whom are also members of communities of color; (2) the maintenance of effort provisions for children’s coverage have been extended by the Congress through September 30, 2029; (3) the maintenance of effort provisions ensure the continued success of the Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program and were intended to specifically protect vulnerable and disabled children, many of whom are also members of communities of color; and (4) the maintenance of effort provisions must be strictly enforced and proposals to weaken or waive the maintenance of effort provisions must not be considered.