Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025
Key claim: The Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025 would let state Medicaid programs renew Section 1915© home- and community-based services waivers for 10-year periods instead of the current 5-year periods.
Abstract
(HR3079 · 119th Congress) Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025 This bill allows state Medicaid programs to renew home- and community-based services waivers (also known as Section 1915© waivers) in 10-year periods. Currently, these waivers may be extended in five-year periods; waivers allow state Medicaid programs to cover long-term care services that are provided in home or community settings rather than in institutional settings. Latest action (2025-04-29): Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Why this matters
Section 1915© waivers are the dominant funding stream for Medicaid home- and community-based services, and their 5-year renewal cycle drives significant state administrative work and periodic uncertainty for enrollees relying on long-term supports. Doubling the renewal period to 10 years would streamline state operations and stabilize HCBS program continuity, though it would also lengthen the interval between federal reviews of waiver performance and compliance.