Bill · S. 1082· Senate(119-S-1082)
Safeguarding Medicaid Act
- Introduced
- 3/14/2025
- Last activity
- 3/14/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1778-1779)
- Sponsored by
- John Barrasso
- Cosponsors
- - 10 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Safeguarding Medicaid Act'' aims to apply Medicaid asset verification programs to all applicants and recipients across all States and territories. It requires States to implement electronic, integrated asset verification systems within one year of the Act's enactment. Additionally, the bill mandates a resources eligibility test for individuals undergoing income eligibility determinations. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will also oversee the tracking of federal expenditure savings related to these programs. States will be required to submit reports on eligibility determinations and asset checks. Finally, the Secretary is granted authority to assess compliance and require corrective action plans from States.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill expands federal oversight by requiring states to implement specific asset verification systems and reporting structures.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+2
The bill aims to reduce federal expenditure savings by implementing more stringent asset verification for Medicaid.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+1
The bill increases fiscal oversight by requiring states to track and report asset verification activities.
The opposite· 3 of 9
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-3
New asset verification requirements may lead to loss of Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals with certain assets.
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?-3
The imposition of asset tests may reduce the overall number of people eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?-3
Mandatory asset verification may create new barriers to healthcare access for eligible individuals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Implementation of Integrated Systems: States are required to develop an electronic integrated asset verification program, which may streamline the process of verifying assets (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Tracking of Savings: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will create a system to track savings in Federal expenditures associated with the new asset verification requirements (Section 4(a)).
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Protection for Specific Groups: The bill includes a provision ensuring that the new resource requirements do not affect continuous eligibility requirements for pregnant and postpartum women or children under the age of 19 (Section 3(a)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
New Eligibility Requirements: The bill implements a resources eligibility test that may preclude individuals from receiving medical assistance if their resources exceed certain amounts (Section 3(a)(ii)).
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Mandatory Asset Checks: States must conduct asset checks for new applications and renewals, which will be tracked and reported to the Secretary (Section 4(b)(1)(A)).
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State Compliance Burdens: States may be required to submit and implement corrective action plans if the Secretary determines they are not in compliance with federal requirements (Section 4(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households-3Good For People With Disabilities-2Good For Retirees-2Good For Seniors-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access-3Increases Medicaid Funding-3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+2Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+1Improves Privacy Rights-2Increase States Rights-2
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/14/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1778-1779)
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi