Kiggans Stands Up for Military Children with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the Care for Military Kids Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure that disabled children of active duty servicemembers who are required to relocate for a deployment maintain their Medicaid coverage when moving across state lines. Specifically, this legislation would amend the Social Security Act to ensure that any dependent of an active duty servicemember currently receiving long-term care services through a state administered Medicaid plan will remain eligible should their family move due to relocation. 

This bill was introduced alongside Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and is endorsed by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Blue Star Families, Partners in PROMISE, The Learning Disabilities Association of America, Tricare for Kids Coalition, Easterseals, Inc., and Easterseals DC MD VA.

“As a Navy veteran and Mom of four, I understand firsthand the unique sacrifices military families make – especially those raising children with disabilities,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The Care for Military Kids Act ensures that no servicemember has to choose between answering the call of duty and making sure their child receives essential, life-sustaining care. This bipartisan bill is about fairness, dignity, and honoring the commitment we’ve made to support our military families, no matter where they’re stationed.”

“Our servicemembers give so much to this nation, and sacrifice so much. This includes being far from home and loved ones, while frequently relocating due to their assignments. Which is why this May, during Military Appreciation Month, I am once again honored to reintroduce this crucial bipartisan legislation for our military families alongside Congresswoman Kiggans,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “The Care for Military Kids Act seeks to establish streamlined Medicaid and CHIP plans for these heroes and their families, regardless of where their service takes them. It is crucial that we get this bipartisan effort to address the needs of our military community and their families across the finish line. By providing clarity and consistency in residency determinations, we can ensure that our brave men and women in uniform, and their children receive the full support, and care they deserve.”

“Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) applauds Congresswoman Kiggans for reintroducing the bipartisan Care for Military Kids Act, alongside Rep. Marcy Kaptur,” said Bryant J. Thomas, Vice President of Advancement for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. “This important legislation reaffirms a commitment to ensuring that active duty dependents with disabilities who are covered by Medicaid can continue to access critical long-term care services—no matter where their families are stationed. Military families face unique challenges, and continuity of care for children with complex medical needs is essential. CHKD strongly supports this bill, which takes an important step toward strengthening healthcare access for our nation’s military children.”

“The Care for Military Kids Act represents a vital advancement in ensuring continuity of care for military children with complex medical needs,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO, Blue Star Families. “By standardizing state Medicaid residency requirements and maintaining waitlist positions across relocations, this legislation addresses a critical and long-standing gap in support for military families. We commend Congresswomen Kiggans and Kaptur for their leadership and commitment to those who serve our nation.”

“Medicaid plays a vital role in ensuring that students with disabilities have access to critical services and supports needed in school and educational settings,” said Cindy Cipoletti, Esq., CEO, The Learning Disabilities Association of America. “Our nation’s military families should not have to endure any disruption to these essential services simply because they relocate to another state in service to their country. Thank you to Representatives Kiggans and Kaptur for introducing this important legislation.”

“Partners in PROMISE is grateful for the leadership of Rep. Kiggans and Rep. Kaptur for their bipartisan efforts in introducing the Care for Military Kids Act,” said Michelle Norman, Executive Director and Founder. “This important provision will allow military families to retain critical healthcare services for their children with disabilities offered through Medicaid Waivers. Currently, military families are making tough choices—either living apart to keep their support or going without essential medical services to stay together. With this bill, we are investing in stronger military families, and as a result, a strong and ready military.”

Background:

You can find the full bill text here.

You can find a one pager on this bill here.

• People with disabilities often need long-term care services that help with everyday activities, such as eating, walking, medical equipment management, and more. 

• Medicaid is the only government program that covers long-term care services for children with disabilities. 

• TRICARE does not cover long term care services, meaning children with disabilities covered by TRICARE cannot receive the care they need.

• Military families often apply for Medicaid to cover these services. However, most military families are not eligible for Medicaid due to their income level, but can apply and be placed on a waitlist. Even those who do qualify are sent to the bottom of the waitlist when their parents who are active duty move to a new state.

• The Care for Military Kids Act will ensure that our servicemembers’ children get the critical care they need by amending the Social Security Act to ensure that any dependent of an active duty servicemember currently receiving long-term care services through a state administered Medicaid plan will remain eligible should their family move due to relocation.

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