H.R. 3079: Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025

The Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025 aims to amend certain provisions of the Social Security Act concerning Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). Specifically, the bill proposes changes to the renewal periods for waivers and State plan amendments that govern these services.

Key Provisions

• The bill allows for the extension of renewal periods for specific home and community-based services waivers and State plan amendments from the current five-year periods to ten-year periods.
• This change applies to waivers and amendments that begin on or after the date the bill is enacted.
• Three specific subsections of the Social Security Act are affected:
  • Subsection (c)(3) concerning waiver periods
  • Subsection (h)(2) regarding extensions of these waivers
  • Subsection (i)(7)(C) which deals with renewals of elections related to Medicaid services

The overarching goal of the bill is to streamline the process for extending waivers and State plan amendments, potentially providing more stability and predictability for Medicaid providers and beneficiaries involved in home and community-based services.

Impact of the Bill

By shifting the renewal periods from five years to ten years, this bill seeks to reduce administrative burdens associated with frequent renewals. It may lead to improved service delivery for beneficiaries who rely on these services, as providers can focus more on care rather than paperwork. The bill indicates a legislative intent to enhance empowerment and flexibility within the Medicaid program.

Relevant Companies

• None found