[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5291-H5292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MEDICAID PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACT
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 8111) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to
ensure the reliability of address information provided under the
Medicaid program, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8111
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medicaid Program Improvement
Act''.
SEC. 2. ENSURING THE RELIABILITY OF ADDRESS INFORMATION
PROVIDED UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (86), by striking ``and'' at the end;
[[Page H5292]]
(2) in paragraph (87), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (87) the following new
paragraph:
``(88) beginning January 1, 2026, provide for a process to
regularly obtain address information for individuals enrolled
under such plan (or a waiver of such plan) from reliable data
sources (as described in section 435.919(f)(1)(iii) of title
42, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation))
and act on any changes to such an address based on such
information in accordance with such section (or successor
regulation), except that this paragraph shall only apply in
the case of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.''.
(b) Application to CHIP.--Section 2107(e)(1) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) through (U) as
subparagraphs (I) through (V), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following new
subparagraph:
``(H) Section 1902(a)(88) (relating to regularly obtaining
address information for enrollees).''.
(c) Ensuring Transmission of Address Information From
Managed Care Organizations.--Section 1932 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u-2) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(j) Transmission of Address Information.--Beginning
January 1, 2026, each contract under a State plan with a
managed care entity under section 1903(m) shall provide that
the entity transmits to the State any address information for
an individual enrolled with the entity that is provided to
such entity directly from, or verified by such entity
directly with, such individual.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pallone) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Iowa.
General Leave
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8111, the
Medicaid Program Improvement Act.
Mr. Speaker, this bill represents a significant step forward in how
we manage and improve the Medicaid program. Every day, Medicaid serves
millions of Americans, providing critical healthcare services. However,
an often overlooked aspect of this vital program is the accuracy and
reliability of address information for our beneficiaries.
Inaccurate or outdated addresses can lead to beneficiaries being
enrolled in multiple State Medicaid programs, jeopardizing program
integrity. The Medicaid Program Improvement Act addresses this issue
head on. By amending title XIX of the Social Security Act, we will
ensure that Medicaid programs have a robust and regular process for
verifying and updating address information.
Starting January 1, 2026, State Medicaid programs will utilize
reliable data sources to keep address information current, which will
be crucial in ensuring that individuals receive the care they need, but
are also eligible without unnecessary interruptions.
Additionally, my bill extends these requirements to the Children's
Health Insurance Program, CHIP, and mandates that managed care
organizations transmit accurate address information to States.
This comprehensive approach guarantees that all aspects of our
Medicaid and CHIP systems work in concert to deliver seamless,
effective care. Let's take this important step together and ensure that
State Medicaid systems function reliably and effectively as much as
they can.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8111, which is sponsored
by the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), as well as the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Cartwright).
Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill would require State Medicaid
agencies to regularly obtain updated beneficiary address information
from reliable sources, including Medicaid managed care plans. This
requirement helps to accomplish two things.
First, when the time comes for a State Medicaid agency to renew a
person's Medicaid eligibility, it is critical that the State has the
most up-to-date address information. Too often, people lose Medicaid
coverage for administrative reasons. Some people just don't return the
paperwork for this reason, for example.
Some people simply never receive the notice that the State has sent
to them indicating it was time to renew their healthcare coverage for
Medicaid. Collecting and using updated address information from
reliable sources helps States to reach people and renew their coverage.
The second thing is having updated address information helps States
identify when an individual may have moved out of State, and this
information could help States ensure payments are not made for
beneficiaries who are no longer residents of the State.
Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward policy that helps to address
practical challenges for people and for State Medicaid agencies, and I
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8111.
Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. In closing, I would
simply ask that Members vote for this bill on a bipartisan basis. It is
important for Medicaid recipients.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes''
vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Weber of Texas). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8111, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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