HR-4209 : Still Just a Bill

H.R. 4209, the "No Medicaid for Illegals Act," seeks to amend Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act, which govern Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill aims to:

• Prohibit federal financial participation under Medicaid and CHIP for individuals without verified U.S. citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status.
• Allow states the option to discontinue providing medical assistance during the "reasonable opportunity period," which is a timeframe granted to individuals to present documentary evidence of citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status.
• Allow states the option to continue providing medical assistance during the reasonable opportunity period.

In effect, this bill would restrict federal funding for Medicaid and CHIP, ensuring that only individuals with verified legal status receive benefits, while granting states flexibility in providing assistance during verification processes.