Medicaid Support for Youth in Foster Care

This report outlines the historical development and current state of Medicaid coverage for children in foster care in the United States. It begins by detailing the establishment of the Medicaid program in 1965 and subsequent legislative changes that expanded coverage to include foster youth, such as the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 and the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The report highlights the significant health challenges faced by the approximately 390,000 children in foster care, with a focus on the role of Medicaid in providing essential health services. It discusses the administrative structures used by states to manage foster care and Medicaid, including the challenges of coordination between these systems. The report also addresses the health needs of foster youth, emphasizing the importance of behavioral health services and the impact of continuous Medicaid coverage on long-term stability. Finally, it identifies ongoing challenges in access and care continuity, proposing solutions to enhance coordination and support for foster youth.