Former foster youth are entitled to health care coverage up to the age of 26.


Why it matters

Youth in and from foster care deserve comprehensive medical support, including mental health care for trauma experienced in foster care. Prioritizing health care is crucial for young individuals, as unforeseen incidents can have long-term financial and educational repercussions. Medicaid ensures that Former Foster Youth up to age 26 receive essential health coverage, acknowledging the importance of accessible health care for them.


What's NEW?

The newest legistation called "The Support Act" now allows young adults who turn 18 after January 1, 2023 Medicaid coverage in any state as long as they meet all the other eligibility requirements. This means that even if you were in foster care in one state, you should be able to access medicaid in another state if you have moved! 

Quick Facts

4 Reasons you should sign up for Medicaid health coverage for former foster youth:

  • It's Free. You can save your money for school, rent, food, and other things you need.

  • You are eligible 'til your 26th Birthday. Be sure to find out if you need to do anything to renew your coverage each year.

  • Coverage isn't based on income. Eligibility for Medicaid usually includes income requirements. There are no income requirements for former foster youth.

  • Your health is important! If you are not healthy, it is hard to meet a lot of your goals. Good health insurance and health care helps you stay healthy.

“I think that the need to do outreach is so important. Had it not been for some former foster youth campaigning and doing outreach I would not have found out that I could get insurance and I honestly don’t know if I would have still been here today.” 

— Dashun Jackson, FosterClub Young Leader Spent 4 years in Nevada’s foster care system


How we're working on this issue

Speaking with Federal Officials About SOGI Data Collection

LGBTQ2S+ FosterClub LEx leaders often meet with federal officials to discuss their experiences related to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) while in foster care. Conversations range from whether youth feel safe disclosing their SOGI, to the impact of coming out during their time in foster care.

Advocate for Laws to Fight Discrimination by Agencies

LGBTQ2S+ FosterClub LEx Leaders often engage with a coalition of national organizations focused on supporting LGBTQ2S+ youth and families in foster care. For example, upon learning about a new federal rule aimed at preventing discrimination against LGBTQ2S+ individuals by federal agencies, LEx Leaders got together and shared their insights. Their expertise underscored the importance of anti-discrimination protections in ensuring the well-being and success of LGBTQ2S+ youth within the foster care system.

Contributing to Government Reports

LEx leaders collaborated with the Government Accountability Office staff to share their personal experiences in foster care, specifically focusing on LGBTQ2S+ identity and religious experiences. Their input informed a comprehensive report that scrutinized the conditions facing young people in the foster care system. The report offered actionable recommendations for states, suggesting the importance of data collection, the implementation of nondiscrimination policies, and enhanced training for child welfare professionals to better support LGBTQ2S+ youth.

“I could have lost my health care if I had left New York to go to Texas for a surgery that I needed. Losing my health care could have jeopardized all of my hard work and progress toward earning my college degree.” 

— Cody Rivera, FosterClub Young Leader Spent 12 years in New York’s Foster Care System


Blogs on Health Care for Former Foster Youth

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What we want you to know from the COVID-19 Town Hall for Older Youth

Were you able to watch the COVID-19 Town Hall for Older Youth?! We're sharing our key takeaways with you! “Foster youth: we see you, we hear you, we care about you, we have not in any way forgotten about you” - Dr. Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau WHAT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW Physical distancing is necessary...

Health care
Higher education
Homelessness
Housing
Independent living
Transition (aging out)
Well-being
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New Recommendations Released - Historic Opportunity for Reform in Child Welfare: Quality Residential Services

On February 28th, the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council released a new statement: A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Quality Residential Services with 6 priorities, echoing recommendations from the Council's 2016 Congregate Care Priorities and highlighting new opportunities presented by Family First - including Quality Residential Treatment Centers (QRTP)...

Family relationships
Health care
LGBTQ+ & Two-Spirit youth
Psychotropic medications
Rights in foster care
Sex trafficking
Well-being
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FosterClub Host Learning Session On HHS New Rule - Watch the Webinar!

Watch this 30-min video which briefly discusses the proposed new rule at Health and Human Services (HHS). The new rule aims to take away protections provided to certain groups. We breakdown what those protections are. We will also talk about what a federal rule is, what public comment is, and what you can do to help! Please take a few...

Education
Health care
Housing
LGBTQ+ & Two-Spirit youth
Rights in foster care
Well-being
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Spoiler Alert: Medicaid is Confusing!

Hi, everyone! My name is Sara Matthews. I am a rising fourth-year at the University of Chicago majoring in Public Policy with a focus in health policy and human rights. Thanks to funding from UChicago’s Pozen Center for Human Rights, I have spent the last 10 weeks interning with FosterClub, working primarily on the #HealthCareFFY campaign. The #HealthCareFFY campaign focuses...

Health care
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The Glitch May Be Fixed, but Action is Still Needed NOW

Signed into law in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was a landmark piece of legislation in many ways. It helped millions of previously uninsured Americans gain access to insurance, and several of its provisions (such as the individual mandate) sparked intense legal battles. Amidst this controversy, one provision of the ACA has received notably less attention: the Former Foster...

Health care
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#HealthcareFFY Youth Outreach Webinar

#HealthCareFFY Youth Outreach Webinar: Presented by The FosterClub and the 2019 All-Star Interns Join us for a webinar Register Now As part of the #HealthCareFFY campaign, FosterClub is pleased to invite you to a webinar hosted by the FosterClub All-Star Interns to discuss improving youth outreach efforts surrounding health policy and Medicaid until 26 benefits. Hear first-hand about best practices...

Health care

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