S. 3690 – Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 13, 2026 at 4:21 AM UTC

The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy‑in Programs Act of 2026 changes the Social Security Act so that working adults with disabilities can qualify for Medicaid buy‑in programs regardless of age. By deleting the “but less than 65” restriction and adding a new category for people 16 and older who would otherwise receive SSI, the bill expands Medicaid eligibility to more disabled adults. The changes apply to individuals receiving or eligible for SSI and to state Medicaid programs that offer these buy‑in options.

Key Provisions

Amends the Medicaid buy‑in rules (Section 1902) to delete the phrase “but less than 65,” allowing adults of any age to qualify for optional buy‑in groups.
Adds language that includes the group described in Section 1905(a)(xviii) (and also the group in 1905(a)(xii)) as eligible for Medicaid buy‑in programs.
Creates a new category (Section 1905(a)(xviii)) for individuals at least 16 years old who would receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if not for earnings above the SSI limit, making them eligible for Medicaid buy‑in.
Removes the age limit from the definition of eligible individuals in Section 1905(v)(1)(A).
Gives states that already provide Medicaid to the newly defined groups a grace period— they won’t be considered out of compliance until January 1, 2028.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Finance Committee

January 27, 2026

View full timeline

SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 27, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Finance Committee

January 27, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in SenateIssued January 27, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3690

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 27, 2026

Mrs. Blackburn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove certain age restrictions on Medicaid eligibility for working adults with disabilities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act of 2026.

2.

Removing certain age restrictions on Medicaid eligibility for working adults with disabilities

(a)

Modification of optional buy-In groups

(1)

In general

Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)) is amended—

(A)

in subclause (XV)—

(i)

by striking , but less than 65,; and

(ii)

by inserting , including at least the group described in section 1905(a)(xviii) before the semicolon at the end; and

(B)

in subclause (XVI), by inserting including at least the group described in section 1905(a)(xii), after the State may establish,.

(2)

Individuals described

Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended—

(A)

in clause (xvi), by striking or at the end;

(B)

in clause (xvii), by adding or after the comma at the end; and

(C)

by adding after clause (xvii) the following new clause:

(xviii)

individuals who, but for earnings in excess of the limit established under subsection (q)(2)(B), would be considered to be receiving supplemental security income, and who are at least 16 years of age,

.

(3)

Definition modification

Section 1905(v)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(v)(1)(A)) is amended by striking , but less than 65,.

(b)

Application to certain States

A State that, as of the date of enactment of this Act, provides for making medical assistance available to individuals described in subclause (XV) or (XVI) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)) shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of the amendments made by subsection (a) before January 1, 2028.