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H.R. 670 114th Congress House

Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act

Official title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to extend the Medicaid rules regarding supplemental needs trusts for Medicaid beneficiaries to trusts established… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to extend the Medicaid rules regarding supplemental needs trusts for Medicaid beneficiaries to trusts established by those beneficiaries, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 3, 2015 Introduced by: Glenn Thompson Republican · Pennsylvania See on congress.gov
Health Disability and paralysisHealth care coverage and accessMedicaid
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 21, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sep 20, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 20, 2016
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 383 - 22 (Roll no. 521). (text: CR H5648-5649)
Sep 20, 2016
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5693-5694)
Sep 20, 2016
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Sep 20, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 670.
Sep 20, 2016
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5648-5650)
Sep 20, 2016
Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 9, 2016
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 570.
Sep 9, 2016
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-734.
Jul 13, 2016
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 13, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 12, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 18, 2015
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 6, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 3, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 3, 2015
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 20, 2016 House · vote #521 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 383–22 See who voted →
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 Latest action September 21, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to the treatment of revocable trusts for the benefit of an individual for purposes of meeting income requirements for Medicaid coverage.

The bill extends the supplemental needs trust exemption from treatment of a trust as resources available to the individual to supplemental needs trusts for Medicaid beneficiaries established by those beneficiaries.

(Sec. 3) Medicaid coverage of tobacco cessation services shall continue to be provided for mothers of newborns through the first year after the child's birth.

The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services must report to the Congress on the use of the tobacco cessation service benefit under the Medicaid program.

(Sec. 4) The bill eliminates federal financial participation regarding expenditures under Medicaid for drugs used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth, except where such drugs are medically necessary.

(Sec. 5) The bill makes additional funding available to the Medicaid Improvement Fund for FY2021 and FY2022.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • S 349 Identical bill Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2015
  • HR 4273 Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015
  • S 2409 Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 22
All 22 Democratic 6 Republican 10
Donovan, Daniel
· Sep 7, 2016
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Sep 7, 2016
 R
Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck"
Tennessee · Sep 6, 2016
 D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · Sep 6, 2016
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Sep 6, 2016
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Jul 13, 2016
 R
Westerman, Bruce
Arkansas · Jul 6, 2016
 R
Amodei, Mark E.
Nevada · Jun 10, 2016
Comstock, Barbara
· Jun 10, 2016
Costello, Ryan
· Jun 10, 2016
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Jun 10, 2016
Bishop, Mike
· Jun 9, 2016
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Jun 9, 2016
FRELINGHUYSEN, RODNEY
· May 12, 2016
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Apr 14, 2016
 R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · Apr 14, 2016
 D
DeSaulnier, Mark
California · Oct 9, 2015
Murphy, Tim
· Oct 6, 2015
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Mar 25, 2015
 D
Huffman, Jared
California · Mar 18, 2015
 R
Kelly, Mike
Pennsylvania · Feb 13, 2015
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Feb 3, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 670: Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-670/
MLA
"H.R. 670: Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-670/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 670, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-670/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 670: Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-670/)
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