Bill · S. 1989· Senate(119-S-1989)
Helping Communities with Better Support Act
- Introduced
- 6/9/2025
- Last activity
- 6/9/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Eric Schmitt
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Helping Communities with Better Support Act" aims to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act. The bill seeks to increase transparency regarding home and community-based services. It also expands coverage options for specific individuals. This includes allowing the Secretary to approve waivers for services provided to people meeting certain disability definitions. Additionally, the bill mandates the public availability of specific data on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+7
The bill provides expanded Medicaid coverage and improved service transparency for individuals with disabilities.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+7
The bill expands Medicaid service coverage for individuals meeting specific disability definitions under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill enhances access to home and community-based services and increases transparency regarding service availability.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Coverage Options: The bill allows the Secretary to approve waivers for states to include payments for certain home or community-based services in their state plans for individuals who meet the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Increased Transparency: Starting January 1, 2028, specific information regarding service lists, waiting times, and service types must be made publicly available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Improved Data on Service Delivery: The bill requires states to provide data on the average amount of time it takes for individuals to begin receiving approved services, such as homemaker, home health aide, or personal care services (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Interim Care Plan Guidance: The Secretary is required to issue guidance to states regarding up to 60 days of coverage under an interim care plan while a formal written plan of care is being finalized (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Impact on Wait Times: To receive a waiver for the new group of individuals, a State must demonstrate that the approval will have no material impact on the average amount of time that others must wait to receive services (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii)).
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 People With Disabilities+7Good For Low Income Households+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6Increases Medicaid Funding+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- 6/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska