H.R.2445 - Ensuring Medicaid Eligibility Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2445, the "Ensuring Medicaid Eligibility Act of 2025," seeks to prevent the implementation of a rule streamlining Medicaid, CHIP, and Basic Health Program application processes. The bill mandates verification of citizenship or satisfactory immigration status before enrollment in Medicaid. It also limits Medicaid coverage for certain categories of immigrants, including parolees, TPS recipients, and DACA recipients.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2445 would halt the streamlining of Medicaid application processes. This would likely result in more complex enrollment procedures. Additionally, certain immigrants would lose Medicaid coverage, potentially increasing the uninsured rate within these populations.
Potential Benefits
- May reduce improper Medicaid payments by ensuring eligibility verification.
- Could potentially decrease the financial burden on taxpayers by limiting coverage to certain groups.
- Might incentivize individuals to obtain formal legal status.
- Could free up resources for other healthcare priorities.
- May strengthen the integrity of the Medicaid program.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could create barriers to healthcare access for eligible individuals, especially those with limited resources or language proficiency.
- May increase administrative burdens and costs for states by requiring more frequent eligibility verification.
- Could disproportionately impact vulnerable immigrant populations, leading to adverse health outcomes.
- May conflict with the goal of providing affordable healthcare to all.
- Could increase uncompensated care costs for hospitals and healthcare providers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is complex. Congress has the power to regulate immigration and set conditions for federal funding under Article I, Section 8. However, the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment may be implicated if the bill is deemed to discriminate against certain groups without a rational basis. The bill's impact on access to healthcare could also raise concerns about the general welfare clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).