S. 2077: Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act

This bill is called the Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act. Its primary aim is to improve health insurance coverage for young people who have aged out of the foster care system. Here are the key points of what the bill would do:

Coverage Continuity

The bill will allow former foster youth to maintain their health insurance coverage until they turn 26 years old. Specifically, to qualify for this coverage, an individual must:

• Be under 26 years of age
• Not be enrolled in certain other forms of medical assistance available under existing law
• Have been in foster care under state responsibility at the age of 18, or may have left care for a legal guardianship with a kinship caregiver

This provision is intended to ensure that youths from foster care can access necessary medical services as they transition into adulthood.

Effective Date

The changes introduced by this bill would take effect on January 1, 2026. It applies to individuals who reach the age of 18 on or after this date.

Outreach for Enrollment

The bill also mandates the creation of an outreach and enrollment program aimed at helping eligible former foster youth sign up for health care coverage. This program must:

• Be established by January 1, 2026
• Be coordinated with the state agency that administers the state's child welfare plan and any other relevant agencies
• Follow best practices established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure effective outreach

The goal is to increase awareness and enrollment among those who qualify for health assistance under the new provisions of the Social Security Act.

Summary

In summary, the Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act aims to extend health insurance coverage for former foster care youths up to age 26, effective January 1, 2026. Additionally, it seeks to implement a dedicated outreach program to assist these young individuals in enrolling for medical assistance.

Relevant Companies

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