Marcy Kaptur
09/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 16:09
House Passes Kaptur Bill to Increase Healthcare Access for Military FamiliesPress ReleaseHealth Care
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09),Senior Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, celebrated the House of Representatives' unanimous bipartisan passage of the Care for Military Kids Act. The legislation, which Congresswoman Kaptur introduced alongside Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), ensures that military families can maintain essential healthcare coverage and medical services for their children, regardless of where their service takes them.
The Care for Military Kids Act amends the Social Security Act to ensure that the dependents of active-duty servicemembers receiving long-term care through a state-administered Medicaid plan will remain eligible for these services even if their family is relocated to another state. The bill is endorsed by major advocacy organizations, including the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and The Arc of the United States.
"I introduced this bipartisan legislation alongside Congresswoman Kiggans, and am thankful to those who helped ensure its swift passage," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "Our servicemembers commit their lives to the safety and security of all Americans. It is essential we ensure that dependents of active duty servicemembers do not lose their critical healthcare coverage through Medicaid and CHIP as their families transfer locations while in service to our nation. Through this bipartisan effort we will prevent military families from facing the burden of healthcare insecurity and uncertainty. I am grateful for the bipartisan support this bill and our military community have received and look forward to Senate passage so we can send this legislation to the President's desk to be signed into law."
"Our men and women in uniform sacrifice so much for our country, relocating frequently and spending months apart," said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02). "As a Navy spouse, mother of four, and a veteran who served for nearly 10 years myself, I firmly believe servicemembers should be able to maintain healthcare coverage for their children when they are relocated. I am thankful my colleagues agree and passed my bipartisan bill unanimously. I urge the Senate to act on this legislation quickly so we can ensure military children have access to the consistent healthcare coverage and medical care they need to lead healthy, happy lives. They should never have to forgo critical care because of their parents' selfless decision to serve."
Medicaid is operated by states, meaning that portability of benefits related to home and community-based healthcare services is not guaranteed from one state to another. This puts individuals and their families at risk of a loss of services when they leave their state, which particularly impacts dependents of military servicemembers who frequently transfer locations as part of the family's commitment to serving their country. A new report from the Children's Hospital Association underscores Medicaid's significance in enabling healthcare access for nearly three million children in military-connected families. The Care for Military Kids Act provides clarity and consistency by ensuring that military children with disabilities or long-term healthcare needs remain eligible for Medicaid services across state lines.# # #