A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) to allow disabled individuals who are working to buy into Medicaid became law on Feb. 3 as part of a larger appropriations package enacted by the president.
“House passage of the final funding package included key Medicaid legislation,” Rep. Ciscomani said. “This is a major step forward for working adults with disabilities who simply want the freedom to keep working without losing the care they rely on.”
The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 3 passed the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act, H.R. 1598, which the congressman sponsored in February 2025 with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, H.R. 7148, which President Donald Trump signed into law the same day.
Rep. Ciscomani’s bill will remove certain limitations for disabled working individuals who want to take part in the Medicaid buy-in program.
Current law allows working adults with disabilities ages 16 to 64 to buy into Medicaid, but the program is capped once someone hits 65, meaning they have to choose between continuing to work, if they desire to, and being able to keep necessary Medicaid benefits and health coverage.
H.R. 1598 allows working adults with disabilities over the age of 65 to continue to work and receive Medicaid coverage and benefits if they choose.
“This bill fixes a common-sense gap in the system by allowing individuals over 65 to continue working by choice while maintaining their Medicaid coverage,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “No one should be penalized for staying in the workforce, and I’m proud to see the House come together to advance a solution that promotes dignity, independence, and opportunity.”
The legislation is supported by ANCOR, a community of providers for adults with disabilities.