H.R. 10677House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure health insurance coverage continuity for former foster youth.

Introduced October 1, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 6, 2026 at 7:21 AM UTC

The Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act amends Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) to keep health‑insurance coverage available to people who age out of foster care. It adds a new eligibility category for former foster youth up to age 26 and requires states to set up outreach programs to help them enroll.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new Medicaid eligibility group for individuals under 26 who were in state foster care when they turned 18 (or a higher age if the state allows), or who left foster care for kinship guardianship or emancipation, and whose income exceeds the usual Medicaid limits.
  • The new coverage option becomes effective on January 1, 2027 and applies to anyone turning 18 on or after that date.
  • Requires states, by January 1, 2027, to create an outreach and enrollment program, coordinated with the agency that runs the state Medicaid plan, to increase enrollment of these former foster youth.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

October 1, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 1, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

October 1, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 1, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10677

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 1, 2026

Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself and Mr. Bacon) 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 ensure health insurance coverage continuity for former foster youth.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act.

2.

Coverage continuity for former foster care children up to age 26

(a)

In general

Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX)) is amended to read as follows:

(IX)

who—

(aa)

are under 26 years of age;

(bb)

are not described in and are not enrolled under any of subclauses (I) through (VII) of this clause or are described in any of such subclauses but have income that exceeds the level of income applicable under the State plan for eligibility to enroll for medical assistance under such subclause; and

(cc)

were in foster care under the responsibility of a State on the date of attaining 18 years of age (or such higher age as such State has elected under section 475(8)(B)(iii)), or were in such care at any age but subsequently left such care to enter into a legal guardianship with a kinship caregiver (without regard to whether kinship guardianship payments are being made on behalf of the child under this part), or were emancipated from such care prior to attaining age 18; and

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2027, and shall apply with respect to individuals who attain 18 years of age on or after that date.

3.

Outreach efforts for enrollment of former foster children

Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (89), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (90)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (90) the following new paragraph:

(91)

not later than January 1, 2027, establish an outreach and enrollment program, in coordination with the State agency responsible for administering the State plan under part E of title IV and any other appropriate or interested agencies, designed to increase the enrollment of individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under paragraph (10)(A)(i)(IX) in accordance with best practices established by the Secretary.

.