H.R. 8650

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8650 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8650

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase payments to 
States with respect to outreach and enrollment under the Medicaid 
program.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 4, 2026

Mr. Carter of Louisiana (for himself and Ms. McClellan) 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 increase payments to 
States with respect to outreach and enrollment under the Medicaid 
program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Medicaid Outreach and Assistance for 
Communities Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that--
(1) Research has shown that access to health insurance 
coverage reduces financial hardship, increases utilization of 
preventive and primary care services, improves management of 
chronic conditions, and is associated with better overall 
health outcomes.
(2) Medicaid coverage in particular produces meaningful 
health and financial benefits, especially for vulnerable 
populations.
(3) In 2025, Congress passed Public Law 119-21 that imposed 
many barriers to accessing Medicaid, including work reporting 
requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations in 
sections 71119 and 71107.
(4) Evidence from jurisdictions that have adopted work 
requirements has shown that many individuals do not enroll or 
lose coverage at renewal, despite being eligible and compliant, 
because of administrative complexity and documentation burdens.
(5) Effective outreach programs can help individuals 
navigate these new systems, increasing enrollment and retention 
among eligible individuals.
(6) States have systems in place to help individuals 
navigate the Medicaid enrollment process but need additional 
support to handle these new requirements. Navigators extend the 
capacity of State government by helping to offset the 
additional administrative burden and need for assistance that 
State eligibility and call center workers will encounter when 
work requirements and semi-annual renewals are implemented.
(7) Without additional navigation support, eligible 
individuals will go without insurance coverage, jeopardizing 
the health, well-being, and financial security of children, 
working families, and older adults.

SEC. 3. INCREASING PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID OUTREACH AND 
ENROLLMENT.

(a) Increased Payments for Outreach and Enrollment.--Section 
1903(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new 
paragraph:
``(7) an amount equal to 100 percent of the sums expended 
during such quarter which are attributable to the costs of 
outreach to and enrollment of individuals eligible for medical 
assistance under this title or for child health assistance 
under title XXI (including individuals described in section 
1943(b)(1)(F)).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to calendar quarters beginning on or after the date 
of the enactment of this section.
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