Medicaid Program Improvement Act

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.

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.

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Inaccurate or outdated addresses can lead to beneficiaries being enrolled in multiple State Medicaid programs, jeopardizing program integrity.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. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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.