HR 3399119th CongressIn Committee

Care for Military Kids Act of 2025

Introduced: May 14, 2025

HealthcareSocial Services

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Care for Military Kids Act of 2025 would change how Medicaid determines residency and eligibility for active duty military families relocating to a new state. Starting January 1, 2028, active duty relocated individuals would generally be treated as residents of the state to which they move for purposes of Medicaid medical assistance, unless they choose to opt out. The bill also protects those on home and community-based services (HCBS) waiting lists at the time of relocation, requiring them to remain on the list until a formal eligibility decision is made (or until they opt out). It additionally permits limited cross-state HCBS payments if available and directs funding to implement these changes. The act sets up definitions for who qualifies as an “active duty relocated individual” and what counts as an HCBS waiting list, and provides a small, time-limited federal funding stream for implementation, with an effective date that largely aligns with enactment but allows state delays if new state legislation is required.

Key Points

1Autonomy on residency for Medicaid: Beginning January 1, 2028, an active duty relocated individual is treated as a resident of the military service relocation state for Medicaid eligibility unless they opt out.
2HCBS waiting list protection: If relocated while on an HCBS waiting list, the individual must stay on the list until a formal eligibility decision is made or until they elect to leave the list.
3Cross-state HCBS payments: The state may provide medical assistance payments on behalf of the relocated individual in the military service relocation state to the extent such assistance is available and guided by Secretary-issued rules.
4Definitions and scope: The bill adds definitions for “active duty relocated individual” and “home and community-based services waiting list,” detailing who qualifies (including active-duty members, recently retired members within 12 months, and dependents who relocate with them).
5Implementation funding and timing: Congress would appropriate $1 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) to HHS to implement these changes. The changes take effect upon enactment, with possible delay if the state requires additional non-funding legislation; states with extended legislative sessions may have staggered compliance.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Military families relocating between states, particularly active duty service members, retirees within 12 months of active duty, and dependents who relocate with them, who would gain clarified residency status for Medicaid and protections around HCBS waiting lists.Secondary group/area affected: State Medicaid agencies and HCBS providers, which would need to adjust plan language, enrollment processes, and waiting-list handling to comply with the new residency rules and protections.Additional impacts: Federal funding for implementation would support state efforts, but states may face administrative and coordination burdens to align plans and guidance with the new requirements. There could be cross-state coordination challenges for HCBS waiting lists and for payment of services in the relocation state, guided by new federal rules. The effective date creates a runway for states to legislate or adjust plans accordingly, with potential variances based on whether state legislatures pass required changes in time.

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