H.R. 1082House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Medicaid HOME Improvement Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:54 PM UTC

The Medicaid HOME Improvement Act changes the Medicaid rules for long‑term‑care eligibility. It stops states from lowering the amount of home equity that is exempt from counting toward a person’s assets, meaning the standard exemption amount set by federal law must be used. This affects anyone applying for Medicaid long‑term‑care assistance who owns a home, and it applies to all states. The changes take effect 180 days after the law is enacted, with a brief grace period for states to adjust their own laws if needed.

Key Provisions

Amends the Social Security Act to remove the state option to reduce the home‑equity exemption amount used to determine Medicaid long‑term‑care eligibility.
Redesignates the relevant subparagraphs so only the federal‑specified dollar amount applies.
Sets the changes to apply to eligibility determinations made after 180 days from enactment.
Provides a limited grace period for states to pass legislation needed to comply with the new requirement.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 17, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 15, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 15, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 17, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 15, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1082

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 15, 2017

Mr. Guthrie (for himself and Mr. Mullin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to eliminate the State option to reduce the home equity exemption amount for purposes of eligibility for long-term care assistance under Medicaid, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medicaid Home Owner Maximum Equity Improvement Act or the Medicaid HOME Improvement Act.

Eliminating State option to reduce medicaid home equity exemption amount for purposes of determining eligibility for long-term care assistance

(a)

In general

Section 1917(f)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(f)(1)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and inserting subparagraph (B);

(2)

by striking subparagraph (B);

(3)

by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B); and

(4)

in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by striking dollar amounts specified in this paragraph and inserting dollar amount specified in subparagraph (A).

(b)

Effective date

(1)

In general

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to eligibility determinations made after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.

(2)

Exception for State legislation

In the case of a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation in order for the respective plan to meet any requirement imposed by amendments made by this section, the respective plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet such an additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session shall be considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.