CARING for Kids Act (H.R. 66; 117th Congress)

by Vern Buchanan

117th CONGRESS
1st Session

H.R. 66

To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to permanently extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2021

Mr. Buchanan (for himself and Mrs. McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to permanently extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Comprehensive Access to Robust Insurance Now Guaranteed for Kids Act” or “CARING for Kids Act”.

SEC. 2. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.

(a) In General.—Section 2104(a)(28) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd(a)(28)) is amended to read as follows:

“(28) for fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent year, such sums as are necessary to fund allotments to States under subsections (c) and (m).”.

(b) Allotments.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2104(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd(m)) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking “,, 2023, and 2027” and inserting “and 2023”;

(B) in paragraph (7)—

(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking “and ending with fiscal year 2027,”; and

(ii) in the flush left matter at the end, by striking “or fiscal year 2026” and inserting “fiscal year 2026, or a subsequent even-numbered fiscal year”;

(C) in paragraph (9)—

(i) by striking “(10), or (11)” and inserting “or (10)”; and

(ii) by striking “2023, or 2027,” and inserting “or 2023”; and

(D) by striking paragraph (11).

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 50101(b)(2) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–123) is repealed.

SEC. 3. PERMANENT EXTENSIONS OF OTHER PROGRAMS AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

(a) Pediatric Quality Measures Program.—Section 1139A(i)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–9a(i)(1)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking at the end “and”;

(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and insert a semicolon; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

“(E) for fiscal year 2028, $15,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section (other than subsections (e), (f), and (g)); and

“(F) for a subsequent fiscal year, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over such previous fiscal year, for the purpose of carrying out this section (other than subsections (e), (f), and (g)).”.

(b) Express Lane Eligibility Option.—Section 1902(e)(13) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(13)) is amended by striking subparagraph (I).

(c) Assurance Of Affordability Standard For Children And Families.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2105(d)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397ee(d)(3)) is amended—

(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking “THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2027”; and

(B) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i)—

(i) by striking “During the period that begins on the date of enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and ends on September 30, 2027” and inserting “Beginning on the date of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”;

(ii) by striking “During the period that begins on October 1, 2019, and ends on September 30, 2027” and inserting “Beginning on October 1, 2019”; and

(iii) by striking “The preceding sentences shall not be construed as preventing a State during any such periods from” and inserting “The preceding sentences shall not be construed as preventing a State from”.

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1902(gg)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(gg)(2)) is amended—

(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking “THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2027”; and

(B) by striking “through September 30” and all that follows through “ends on September 30, 2027” and inserting “(but beginning on October 1, 2019,”.

(d) Qualifying States Option.—Section 2105(g)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397ee(g)(4)) is amended—

(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking “FOR FISCAL YEARS 2009 THROUGH 2027” and inserting “AFTER FISCAL YEAR 2008”; and

(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking “for any of fiscal years 2009 through 2027” and inserting “for any fiscal year after fiscal year 2008”.

(e) Outreach And Enrollment Program.—Section 2113 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397mm) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2027” and inserting “, beginning with fiscal year 2009,”;

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) by striking “10 percent of such amounts” and inserting “10 percent of such amounts for the period or the fiscal year for which such amounts are appropriated”; and

(ii) by striking “during such period” and inserting “, during such period or such fiscal year,”; and

(C) in paragraph (3), by striking “For the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2027, an amount equal to 10 percent of such amounts” and inserting “Beginning with fiscal year 2024, an amount equal to 10 percent of such amounts for the period or the fiscal year for which such amounts are appropriated”; and

(2) in subsection (g)—

(A) by striking “2017,,” and inserting “2017,”;

(B) by striking “and $48,000,000” and inserting “$48,000,000”; and

(C) by inserting after “through 2027” the following: “, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, and, for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2028, the amount appropriated under this subsection for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over such previous fiscal year”.

(f) Child Enrollment Contingency Fund.—Section 2104(n) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd(n)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)—

(i) by striking “and 2024 through 2026” and inserting “beginning with fiscal year 2024”; and

(ii) by striking “2023, and 2027” and inserting “, and 2023”; and

(B) in subparagraph (B)—

(i) by striking “2024 through 2026” and inserting “beginning with fiscal year 2024”; and

(ii) by striking “2023, and 2027” and inserting “, and 2023”; and

(2) in paragraph (3)(A)—

(A) by striking “fiscal years 2024 through 2026” and inserting “beginning with fiscal year 2024”; and

(B) by striking “2023, or 2027” and inserting “, or 2023”.