Sponsors (6)
This bill establishes a two‑year nationwide Medicaid demonstration that delivers immediate financial relief and better wound‑care access for people with epidermolysis bullosa and generates data for future policy, but it raises modest fiscal and administrative costs and leaves uncertainty about long‑term, comprehensive coverage.
Medicaid beneficiaries with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) will get guaranteed coverage of over‑the‑counter medications and wound supplies for two years, lowering out‑of‑pocket costs.
Expanded coverage of wound‑care supplies and related services is likely to reduce EB complications and hospitalizations, improving health outcomes for people with EB and other disabilities who rely on consistent wound care.
Creating a nationwide demonstration standardizes access across states, reducing geographic disparities in EB care for Medicaid enrollees.
The demonstration will increase Medicaid spending for wound supplies and OTC medications, which could raise federal/state costs or force reallocation of limited budgets.
Making the benefit a time‑limited (two‑year) demonstration delays a decision on permanent nationwide coverage, leaving uncertainty for people with EB after the demonstration ends.
Implementing the demonstration may create administrative complexity and short‑term burdens for state Medicaid programs and HHS, potentially disrupting access during rollout.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a nationwide 2‑year Medicaid demonstration requiring coverage of specified OTC medicines and wound‑care supplies for individuals with epidermolysis bullosa.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to test mandatory coverage of treatment for wound care for epidermolysis bullosa under the Medicaid program.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Greg Landsman · Last progress March 9, 2026
Requires HHS to run a nationwide, 2-year demonstration (starting within 1 year of enactment) that ensures Medicaid coverage of specified over-the-counter medicines and wound-care supplies as medical assistance for people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) who are eligible under the referenced Medicaid eligibility category. After the demonstration ends, HHS must report to Congress within one year on costs, health outcomes compared with before the demonstration, and recommendations to reduce related hospitalizations.