Rep. Panetta Reintroduces Bicameral Legislation to Protect Medicaid Access for Disaster Survivors

Monterey, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and reintroduced the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (DRMA), bicameral legislation that would protect access to Medicaid services for individuals forced to relocate across state lines due to federally declared disasters or public health emergencies. Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) co-leads this legislation alongside Rep. Panetta. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) are leading companion legislation in the United States Senate.

The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act would ensure that seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid waivers do not lose the critical, life-sustaining services they need if they are forced to flee their home state during a disaster. The bill would designate such individuals as "Relief-Eligible Survivors" and allow them to continue receiving Medicaid-supported services in their temporary state of residence.

In 2024 alone, over 11 million Americans were displaced by natural disasters. Because Medicaid is administered by individual states, disaster survivors who cross state lines often lose access to critical services, especially Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) provided through state-specific waivers with lengthy waiting lists. This loss of care can severely threaten the health, safety, and independence of older adults and people with disabilities.

"As we've seen in California and across the country, natural disasters are displacing more and more families, often across state lines. But for those who depend on Medicaid, fleeing danger too often means losing access to health care," said Rep. Panetta. "The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act would ensure that survivors of disasters do not have to choose between their safety and their health. I'm proud to lead this bicameral legislation to ensure that no matter the circumstance, the most vulnerable in our community have continuity of care."

"As our Maui ʻohana know all too well, rebuilding after a disaster brings daily challenges. However, access to healthcare should never be one of them. Medicaid is a lifeline for many, and we must make sure this critical safety net remains accessible, especially in times of crisis," said Rep. Tokuda. "That's why I am proud to reintroduce the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act with my colleague Representative Panetta. This bill will ensure disaster victims have uninterrupted access to Medicaid-supported services, no matter where they are or how long it takes to reestablish their lives."

The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act would:

• Ensure that individuals eligible for Medicaid who are forced to relocate due to a federally declared disaster or public health emergency can continue to access their Medicaid services.
• Provide a limited-time, 100% federal Medicaid match for states serving displaced individuals.
• Offer technical assistance to states to help them quickly accommodate an influx of out-of-state recipients.
• Establish a grant program to help states build an emergency response corps to provide Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) during and after disasters.

"Our measure ensures that families, seniors, and individuals who are eligible for Medicaid and impacted by emergency relocations are able to continue receiving the care they need," said Senator Blumenthal. "Evacuees who have to abandon their homes and communities after a natural disaster strikes should not have to worry about whether they will lose access to their health care."

"The last thing disaster survivors should be worried about is whether they'll be able to access health care or not," said Senator Schatz. "This bill will make sure that people on Medicaid who are forced to relocate due to disasters can still get the care that they need."

"The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies applauds the reintroduction of the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (DRMA)," said Shaylin Sluzalis and Germán Parodi, co-executive directors of the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies. "Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by disasters, and losing access to Medicaid in moments of crisis can be deadly. DRMA is a life-saving, equity-driven bill that ensures disabled people, older adults, and low-income disaster survivors are not left behind simply because they've been displaced. This legislation recognizes that health care is essential infrastructure in any emergency. We urge Congress to pass DRMA without delay."

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