Legislation sponsored by MGP to expand Medicaid benefits clears House Committee

Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, that would expand Medicaid benefits for some working adults with disabilities has cleared the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

In April, Gluesenkamp Perez introduced the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Program Act, which is cosponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona.

If passed, the bill would lift the age limit for the Medicaid Buy-In program. Currently, people with disabilities who work jobs that pay above traditional eligibility requirements can stay in the program through the age of 65, which the lawmakers say creates a gap of two years until they can access Social Security benefits at 67.

“For people with disabilities who rely on home-based and long-term care through Medicaid Buy-In, an age cap for the program at 65 can present them with the difficult choice of either limiting their income to receive much-needed care through Medicaid or losing coverage by continuing to work and remain independent,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “With our bipartisan bill passing committee to expand eligibility for Medicaid Buy-In beyond 65, we’re one step closer to helping more folks remain in their communities and have the option to keep working until their Social Security benefits kick in or longer.”

According to the pair of lawmakers, the legislation would allow people with disabilities to continue working if they desire.

“Working adults with disabilities should never have to choose between their paycheck or their benefits,” Ciscomani said in a statement. “By lifting the age limit for the Medicaid Buy-In program, this bipartisan legislation expands eligibility and ensures that individuals with disabilities over the age of 65 can continue to work while maintaining vital Medicaid benefits they need. Proud to lead this effort with Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez and I am glad to see it pass out of the Energy and Commerce Committee.”