Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2026

This bill would allow states to receive federal Medicaid payments for services provided to children in foster care who are placed in qualified residential treatment programs. These programs utilize trauma-informed treatment models specifically designed to address the needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances.

This bill affects children in foster care who require trauma-informed treatment for serious emotional or behavioral disorders. It also impacts state governments by allowing them to receive federal Medicaid payments for services provided to these children within qualified residential treatment programs.

• Medicaid payments for qualified residential treatment programs. The bill permits states to receive federal Medicaid payments for services provided to children in foster care who are placed in qualified residential treatment programs.
• Support for trauma-informed treatment models. The legislation applies to programs that utilize trauma-informed treatment models specifically designed to address the needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances.

The bill modifies federal Medicaid payment rules to allow states to receive reimbursement for services provided to children in qualified residential treatment programs.

The bill aims to ensure Medicaid coverage for foster care children receiving care in qualified residential treatment programs, specifically those utilizing trauma-informed models for serious emotional or behavioral needs.