Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act of 2025
Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill aims to improve children's access to primary care by increasing what Medicaid pays doctors and other healthcare providers. Specifically, it would set Medicaid payment rates at a minimum level based on what Medicare (the program for seniors) pays for the same services. The bill would also expand which types of healthcare providers qualify for these higher payments, including obstetricians (doctors who deliver babies). The goal is to encourage more doctors to accept Medicaid patients, particularly children. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly affects children covered by Medicaid, as well as the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who treat them.
It could also indirectly affect state budgets, since states help fund Medicaid. The bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to study how many children are enrolled in Medicaid and how many providers offer primary care services before and after the changes take effect. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2025This bill modifies payments for Medicaid primary care services. Specifically, the bill applies a Medicare payment rate floor to Medicaid primary care services that are provided after the date of enactment of the bill and extends the payment rate to additional types of practitioners (e.g., obstetricians).The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must conduct a study on the number of children enrolled in Medicaid, the number of providers receiving payment for primary care services, and associated payment rates before and after the bill's implementation.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.