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
Want to Learn More?
FosterClub #HealthCareFFY FAQ Sheet for youth
Health-Care Coverage for
Children and Youth in
Foster Care—and After, Child Information Gateway
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
Finding Balance: A Summit on Youth Well-Being (Oregon)
An Oregon summit will bring together young people with lived experience and field stakeholders for a day of thought-leadership, information-sharing and generating solutions for the future. If you are not automatically redirected, please click on this link: www.fosterclub.com/summit2023
Council Members share Immigration Priority with Federal Leaders
This week, the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council engaged with newly confirmed Administration of Children, Youth & Families Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston and Children’s Bureau Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg and members of their team. Council Members shared their newly published priority: Supporting Immigrant Children & Youth in Foster Care. Members were able to share reflections, personal experiences...
New Priority Released: Supporting Immigrant Youth & Children in Foster Care
The National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council is pleased to release its 19th priority statement: Supporting Immigrant Children & Youth in Foster Care. Recent years have seen an increase in attention to children who enter the United States as immigrants. While the focus has largely been on those who enter via the southern border, the experiences of youth...
New Recommendations Released - Historic Opportunity for Reform in Child Welfare: Older Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood
Today, 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 Older Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood with 4 priorities with consideration on how to move towards a 21st Century Child Welfare System. Priority 1: Well-Being: We need continuity of health services that...
Poll Results: Checking in on Young People from Foster Care as COVID-19 Continues
SUMMARY Since the beginning of the pandemic, FosterClub has conducted several polls to monitor how the pandemic is affecting young people in and from foster care. FosterClub conducted a poll in late March ( results here) and an additional poll in early May to gain a better sense of how young people in and from foster care are doing. In...
What State Advocates Can Do in Response to COVID-19
What State Advocates Can Do:
Policy Advocacy on Behalf of Older Youth in and Aging Out of the Child Welfare System in Response to COVID-19
Young people in and leaving the child welfare system have been hit hard by COVID-19. Many do not have a strong support system in place to help them navigate the crisis or to serve as...
This work is supported by:
