S. 2496

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for continuous eligibility for certain children under the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · July 29, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Bennet · Committee: Committee on Finance

S. 2496

SEC. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Keep Kids Covered Act.

SEC. 2. Requiring States to provide for continuous eligibility for children under Medicaid and CHIP

(a) Continuous eligibility for deemed newborns until age 6
- (1) Medicaid
  - Section 1902(e)(4) of the Social Security Act () is amended by striking one yearand inserting 6 years. 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(4)
- (2) CHIP
  - Section 2112(e) of the Social Security Act () is amended by striking 1 year of ageand inserting 6 years of age (except that such a child who is enrolled under the State child health plan or waiver may be transferred to the Medicaid program under title XIX for the remaining duration of the 6-year continuous eligibility period, if the child becomes eligible for full benefits under title XIX during such period). 42 U.S.C. 1397ll(e)
(b) Continuous eligibility for children under age 19 and former foster youth
- (1) Medicaid
  - Section 1902(e)(12) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(12)
    - in the paragraph heading, by striking and inserting ;
    - in the text preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting after ;
    - in subparagraph (A), by striking the 12-month periodand inserting the 24-month period;
    - by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
    - by striking and inserting:
      - (A) Children under age 6
        
        The State plan (or waiver of such State plan) shall provide that an individual who is under the age of 6 and who is determined to be eligible for benefits under a State plan (or waiver of such plan) approved under this title under subsection (a)(10)(A) shall remain eligible for such benefits until the earlier of—
        
        (i) the time that such individual attains the age of 6; or
        
        (ii) the date that such individual ceases to be a resident of such State.
      - (B) Children ages 6 through 18
        
        The State plan
      - (C) Former foster youth
        
        The State plan (or waiver of such State plan) shall provide that an individual who is determined to be eligible for benefits under a State plan (or waiver of such plan) approved under this title under subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) shall remain eligible for such benefits until the earlier of—
        
        (i) the time that such individual attains the age of 26; or
        
        (ii) the date that such individual ceases to be a resident of such State.
    - by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
- (2) CHIP
  - Section 2107(e)(1)(L) of the Social Security Act (), as redesignated by section 71103(b)(1) of , is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)(L); Public Law 119–21
    - by striking ; and
    - by striking 12-monthand inserting applicable.
(c) Updating contact information during continuous eligibility period
- (1) Medicaid
  - Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (), as amended by sections 71103(a)(1) and 71104 of , is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a); Public Law 119–21
    - in paragraph (88), by striking and at the end;
    - in paragraph (89), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
      - provide for a process—
        
        to obtain, not less frequently than annually, the up-to-date contact information for individuals enrolled under such plan (or a waiver of such plan) who have been so enrolled for a period of longer than 12 months pursuant to a continuous eligibility provision under this title; and
        
        to inform each such individual of their enrollment under such plan (or waiver) pursuant to such continuous eligibility provision and of the remaining duration of the applicable period of continuous eligibility.
    - by inserting after paragraph (89) the following new paragraph:
- (2) CHIP
  - Section 2107(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (), as redesignated by sections 71103(b)(1) and 71109(b) of , is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1); Public Law 119–21
    - by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (W) as subparagraphs (J) through (X), respectively; and
      - Section 1902(a)(90) (relating to the verification of contact information and provision of information regarding enrollment during a period of continuous eligibility).
    - by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new subparagraph:
(d) Effective date
- The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section.

SEC. 3. Adjusting application of provision providing coverage continuity for former foster children up to age 26 under Medicaid

Section 1002(a)(2) of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act ( note) is amended by striking and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: 42 U.S.C. 1396a
- shall apply—
  - beginning January 1, 2023, with respect to foster youth who attain 18 years of age on or after such date; and
  - beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of the Keep Kids Covered Act, with respect to foster youth not described in subparagraph (A).