Bill reducing Medicaid eligibility passes in House

The House passed a bill (H.R. 2576) last week that would count Social Security as income in determining eligibility for Medicaid and federal subsidies for health insurance exchanges, starting in 2014.

The bill, whose passage fell along party lines, is intended to close a loophole in the Affordable Care Act that would allow early retirees receiving Social Security benefits to be eligible for Medicaid, according to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Diane Black (R-TN).

Those who oppose the bill contend that it would hinder access for uninsured low-income adults to qualify for subsidies and prevent them from buying insurance policy through state exchanges, according to published reports. It is unclear whether the bill will receive support in the Senate, The Hill reported.