Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act
Expands Medicaid eligibility for qualifying former foster youth under 26 and requires states to conduct enrollment outreach.
In the House Energy and Commerce Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Health coverage eligibility can change as young people leave foster care. The bill would expand a Medicaid eligibility category for qualifying former foster youth under 26, including some who left care for a kinship guardianship or were emancipated early. It would also require states to create outreach and enrollment programs for eligible people.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Expand Medicaid eligibility for former foster youth
The bill would make people under 26 eligible under a Medicaid category if they meet the bill’s conditions and are not eligible for, or have income above the limit for, specified other eligibility categories. It covers people who were in foster care under state responsibility at age 18 or a higher age chosen by the state, people who left foster care for a kinship guardianship, and people emancipated from foster care before age 18.
- Require outreach to eligible former foster youth
States would have to create an outreach and enrollment program, coordinating with the state agency responsible for foster care and other appropriate or interested agencies. The program would aim to increase enrollment using best practices established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The bill’s stated aim is to maintain health coverage for former foster youth and increase enrollment among those eligible. It would change both who can qualify under this Medicaid category and how states connect eligible people with enrollment.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Kamlager-Dove with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Energy and Commerce
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove’s record: sponsored 39 bills this Congress. 1 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Don BaconR-NE-2ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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