As natural disasters and public health emergencies increase, millions of people are being forced to abandon their homes and relocate with no idea of when they will be able to return. The stresses of relocating can be even more challenging for people with disabilities and their families who depend on Medicaid to access essential services, medical equipment and supplies, and treatments.

The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act would ensure that individuals eligible for Medicaid who are forced to relocate due to a disaster can continue to access their Medicaid-supported services. This legislation would designate an individual who resides in an area covered under a national disaster or public health emergency declaration as a “Relief-Eligible Survivor” and allow them continued Medicaid coverage. The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act provides a limited time, one hundred percent federal match for displaced individuals and technical assistance and support for states to develop innovative strategies to respond to an influx of out-of-state individuals. 

The bill also creates a grant program to help states develop an emergency response corps to provide home and community-based services. It would mean that disaster relocation will never again force Medicaid recipients to lose access to health care and other services they rely on.

Advocates are urged to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to support the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act.