This bill, titled the "Protect Medicaid Act," amends the Social Security Act to prohibit federal Medicaid funding for the administrative costs of state programs that provide health benefits to noncitizens. Specifically, it targets individuals who are ineligible for medical assistance under Medicaid due to not having a satisfactory immigration status. The legislation clarifies that this prohibition does not extend to the costs of establishing or operating systems designed to ensure compliance with this new restriction. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. This report must detail how states separate administrative costs for Medicaid versus benefits for ineligible noncitizens, and the procedures states employ to ensure compliance with federal funding prohibitions. It also requires an analysis of states' financing methods for these programs and the impact of providing covered outpatient drugs to such noncitizens on average manufacturer prices under federal drug programs.
Health programs administration and fundingImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresIntergovernmental relationsMedicaidState and local finance
Protect Medicaid Act
USA119th CongressS-523| Senate
| Updated: 2/11/2025
This bill, titled the "Protect Medicaid Act," amends the Social Security Act to prohibit federal Medicaid funding for the administrative costs of state programs that provide health benefits to noncitizens. Specifically, it targets individuals who are ineligible for medical assistance under Medicaid due to not having a satisfactory immigration status. The legislation clarifies that this prohibition does not extend to the costs of establishing or operating systems designed to ensure compliance with this new restriction. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. This report must detail how states separate administrative costs for Medicaid versus benefits for ineligible noncitizens, and the procedures states employ to ensure compliance with federal funding prohibitions. It also requires an analysis of states' financing methods for these programs and the impact of providing covered outpatient drugs to such noncitizens on average manufacturer prices under federal drug programs.
Health programs administration and fundingImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresIntergovernmental relationsMedicaidState and local finance