Disaster Relief Medicaid Act: Enhanced Healthcare for Survivors
This act modifies Medicaid to provide quick and easier medical assistance to individuals affected by disasters or emergencies. It includes simplified applications, immediate aid, and expanded benefits like mental health support and home-based care, aiming to protect the health and finances of those impacted.
Key points
Simplified Medicaid Access: Disaster survivors will have faster and easier access to medical assistance, with reduced documentation requirements.
Expanded Benefits: The program will cover mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and home and community-based services, crucial for those who lost homes or caregivers.
Long-Term Support: Medical assistance will be available for two years after a disaster declaration, and potentially longer for specific groups (e.g., pregnant individuals), ensuring stability during recovery.
100% Federal Funding: The federal government will cover all medical assistance and administrative costs in disaster-impacted areas, easing the financial burden on states.
Protection from Penalties: States will not be penalized for errors in Medicaid eligibility determinations related to disaster relief, encouraging swift action.
Support for Homeless and Unemployed: The act specifically addresses homeless individuals and those who lost employment due to a disaster, ensuring their access to benefits.
No Impact on Medicare Part B: The disaster relief coverage period will not count towards the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty, protecting individuals from additional costs.
Introduced
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