Sponsor
David Schweikert
Representative · R-AZ
Representative · R-AZ
The bill creates a federal standard for Medicaid personal care benefits that could improve and clarify access for beneficiaries and reduce state variation, but it also risks narrowing coverage for some and would impose new administrative and fiscal burdens on states and taxpayers depending on how benefits and funding are implemented.
Medicaid beneficiaries could gain clearer or expanded coverage for personal care services starting Jan 12, 2027, improving access to in-home supports.
States and HHS will have a definitive federal standard to apply, reducing state-by-state variation in covered personal care benefits and simplifying eligibility/coverage decisions.
Medicaid beneficiaries could lose access to personal care services if the amendment narrows coverage after Jan 12, 2027.
Taxpayers and state budgets could face higher ongoing costs if the amendment effectively expands benefits without additional federal funding.
States and health providers may incur administrative and contract-update costs to implement and comply with the new definition of covered personal care services.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Modifies the Medicaid statutory definition of “medical assistance” at 42 U.S.C. § 1396d(a)(24), changing the scope of certain personal care benefits effective Jan 12, 2027.
Official title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure the appropriate availability of personal care services under the Medicaid program.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by David Schweikert · Last progress February 25, 2026
Amends the Medicaid definition of “medical assistance” to change the scope of benefits covered by the clause at 42 U.S.C. § 1396d(a)(24) (also cited as section 1905(a)(24) of the Social Security Act). The change becomes effective for services furnished on or after January 12, 2027 and therefore will alter what personal care or similar services Medicaid must (or may) cover under that statutory definition beginning on that date. The exact language inserted is not provided, so the practical effect depends on the content of the insertion, but the amendment clearly modifies the substantive scope of Medicaid-covered services under that paragraph.