NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act. The bipartisan bill would lift a restriction that prevents people with disabilities from buying-in to Medicaid after they turn 65.

“Americans with disabilities should be able to continue working without losing coverage or care through Medicaid when they turn 65,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Program Act would ensure adults with disabilities over the age of 65 can continue to work without sacrificing their Medicaid coverage and benefits.”

“People with disabilities deserve to be given the resources and support they need to live and work independently no matter their age,” said Chairman Casey. “The Medicaid buy-in program is a critical way for many people with disabilities to receive that support, and should not be restricted to those under 65. This new bipartisan bill will prevent people with disabilities from being forced into retirement just to maintain access to the support they need to live independently.”

• The Medicaid buy-in program allows people with disabilities to access daily long-term care services that most employer-sponsored insurance plans do not typically cover, but currently has an age limit of 65, forcing many people with disabilities to retire in order to maintain Medicaid coverage. Senators Casey and Blackburn’s bill would remove that restriction, allowing people with disabilities to continue to work as long as they wish while receiving Medicaid to support their independence.

Read more about the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Program Act here.