# Plain Language Summary: Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2023

This bill makes sure that children in foster care who live in specialized residential treatment facilities can keep their Medicaid health insurance coverage. Right now, there's a gap in the system where some foster children lose their Medicaid when they're placed in these facilities, even though they desperately need medical coverage. This bill closes that gap by explicitly stating that Medicaid must continue to cover these children's medical care while they're in these programs.

The bill specifically targets children placed in what's called a "qualified residential treatment program"—these are facilities designed to provide intensive care and treatment for children with serious emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs. These aren't regular foster homes; they're specialized facilities where children receive therapeutic services. The bill ensures that as long as the state is paying for the child's care at the facility (which the federal government helps fund), Medicaid will cover the child's medical needs like doctor visits, medications, hospital care, and other health services.

This matters because children in foster care often have significant health challenges, including mental health issues, trauma-related conditions, and physical health problems. Without continuous Medicaid coverage, they might not get the medical treatment they need while they're receiving intensive residential care. The bill takes effect starting October 1, 2023, so states need to update their systems to make sure these children's Medicaid doesn't get interrupted when they're placed in these treatment facilities. Essentially, it's about protecting vulnerable children's access to healthcare during a critical time in their lives.

Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2023

Bilirakis, Gus M.

Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2023&nbsp;This bill allows states to receive federal Medicaid payment for services provided to foster care children in qualified residential treatment programs (i.e., programs with trauma-informed treatment models that address the needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances).