CARING for Kids Act

To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to permanently extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comprehensive Access to Robust Insurance Now Guaranteed for Kids Act CARING for Kids Act 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) (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) (A) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking ,, 2023, and 2027 and 2023 (B) in paragraph (7)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking and ending with fiscal year 2027, (ii) in the flush left matter at the end, by striking or fiscal year 2026 fiscal year 2026, or a subsequent even-numbered fiscal year (C) in paragraph (9)— (i) by striking (10), or (11) or (10) (ii) by striking 2023, or 2027, or 2023 (D) by striking paragraph (11). (2) Conforming amendment Section 50101(b)(2) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–123 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) (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) (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking through September 30 2027 (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 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 Beginning on October 1, 2019 (iii) by striking The preceding sentences shall not be construed as preventing a State during any such periods from 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) (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking through September 30 2027 (B) by striking through September 30 ends on September 30, 2027 (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) (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking for fiscal years 2009 2027 after fiscal year 2008 (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking for any of fiscal years 2009 through 2027 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 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2027 , beginning with fiscal year 2009, (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking 10 percent of such amounts 10 percent of such amounts for the period or the fiscal year for which such amounts are appropriated (ii) by striking during such period , during such period or such fiscal year, (C) in paragraph (3), by striking For the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2027, an amount equal to 10 percent of such amounts 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 (2) in subsection (g)— (A) by striking 2017,, 2017, (B) by striking and $48,000,000 $48,000,000 (C) by inserting after through 2027 , $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) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)— (i) by striking and 2024 through 2026 beginning with fiscal year 2024 (ii) by striking 2023, and 2027 , and 2023 (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking 2024 through 2026 beginning with fiscal year 2024 (ii) by striking 2023, and 2027 , and 2023 (2) in paragraph (3)(A)— (A) by striking fiscal years 2024 through 2026 beginning with fiscal year 2024 (B) by striking 2023, or 2027 , or 2023

Summary: Comprehensive Access to Robust Insurance Now Guaranteed for Kids Act or the CARING for Kids Act This bill permanently extends the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and related measures, programs, and authorities. Specifically, the bill permanently funds CHIP and related programs that support the development of child health quality measures and outreach and enrollment efforts. The bill also permanently authorizes the Medicaid and CHIP express lane eligibility option, which allows states to use information from designated programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to streamline eligibility determinations for children.