H.R. 9345

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9345 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9345

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a resources 
test for eligibility under the Medicaid program for the expansion 
population.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 18, 2026

Mr. Cloud 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 establish a resources 
test for eligibility under the Medicaid program for the expansion 
population.

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 Equal Standards Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHING A RESOURCES TEST FOR ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE 
MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR THE EXPANSION POPULATION.

(a) In General.--Section 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``A State'' and 
inserting ``Subject to subparagraph (M), a State''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(M) Resources test for expansion individuals.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this title, a State shall 
provide, as a condition of eligibility for 
medical assistance for an applicable individual 
(as defined in clause (v)), that such 
individual satisfy a resources test established 
by the State that meets the requirements of 
clause (ii).
``(ii) Resources test requirements.--
``(I) In general.--For purposes of 
clause (i), subject to subclause (III), 
a resources test established by a State 
meets the requirements of this clause 
if--
``(aa) the test precludes 
eligibility for medical 
assistance for any applicable 
individual whose resources (as 
determined under section 1613 
for purposes of the 
supplemental security income 
program) exceed the amount 
specified in subclause (II) 
(or, in the case such 
individual is married, double 
such amount); and
``(bb) the State provides 
for application of such test at 
such times as are specified in 
clause (iii).
``(II) Amount specified.--
``(aa) In general.--For 
purposes of subclause (I)(aa), 
the amount specified in this 
subclause is--

``(AA) for 2029, 
$10,000;

``(BB) for each 
subsequent year (other 
than an applicable 
year), the amount 
specified in this 
subclause for the 
previous year; and

``(CC) for an 
applicable year, the 
amount specified in 
this subclause for the 
previous year, 
increased by the 
percentage change in 
the Consumer Price 
Index for All Urban 
Consumers over the 4-
year period ending on 
September 30 of such 
previous year.

``(bb) Applicable year 
defined.--For purposes of item 
(aa), the term `applicable 
year' means 2033 and every 
fourth year thereafter.
``(III) State flexibility.--A State 
may elect, in a form and manner 
specified by the Secretary--
``(aa) to apply, in lieu of 
the dollar amount described in 
subclause (I)(aa) applicable to 
an applicable individual for a 
year, such lower amount 
specified by the State; or
``(bb) to take into account 
resources specified by the 
State that would otherwise be 
excluded under section 1613 in 
determining the resources of an 
individual.
``(IV) Process to exercise state 
flexibility.--A State's election under 
subclause (III) may not be denied by 
the Secretary and shall take effect at 
such time and for such period of time 
as the State specifies in such 
election.
``(iii) Application of test.--A State shall 
provide that a resources test described in 
clause (i) is applied--
``(I) in the case of an applicable 
individual who has filed an application 
for medical assistance under a State 
plan (or a waiver of such plan) under 
this title, at the time of the initial 
determination of such individual's 
eligibility; and
``(II) in the case of an applicable 
individual enrolled and receiving 
medical assistance under a State plan 
(or under a waiver of such plan) under 
this title, at the time of each 
redetermination of eligibility for such 
individual.
``(iv) Treatment with respect to certain 
fmap increases.--A State shall not be treated 
as not providing medical assistance to all 
individuals described in section 
1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII), or as not expending 
amounts for all such individuals under the 
State plan (or waiver of such plan), solely 
because such an individual is determined 
ineligible for medical assistance under the 
State plan (or waiver) on the basis of a 
failure to satisfy a resources test described 
in clause (i).
``(v) Applicable individual defined.--
``(I) In general.--For purposes of 
this subparagraph, subject to subclause 
(II), the term `applicable individual' 
has the meaning given such term in 
subsection (xx)(9)(A) and does not 
include any specified excluded 
individual.
``(II) State option to expand 
definition of applicable individual.--A 
State may, for purposes of this 
subparagraph, elect to include as 
applicable individuals any category of 
specified excluded individuals, or all 
such specified excluded individuals, as 
determined appropriate by the State.
``(III) Specified excluded 
individual defined.--For purposes of 
this clause, the term `specified 
excluded individual' has the meaning 
given such term in subsection 
(xx)(9)(A)(ii).''.
(b) State Plan Requirement.--Section 1902(a) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (89), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (90), by striking the period and inserting 
``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (90) the following new 
paragraph:
``(91) provide that the State meets the requirement described in 
subsection (e)(14)(M).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply beginning January 1, 2029.
<all>