1 Testimony House Bill No. 1067 House Human Services Committee Representative Ruby, Chairman January 14, 2025

Chairman Ruby, and members of the House Human Services Committee, I am Krista Fremming, Assistant Director of Medical Services with the Department of Health and Human Services (Department). I appear before you in support of House Bill No. 1067, which was introduced at the request of the Department.

Section 1 of this bill allows Medicaid coverage, and therefore federal matching funds, for children who are in the U.S. legally without regard to the length of time they or their parents have resided in the United States. We estimate that up to an additional 180 children may receive Medicaid coverage each year if this bill passes.

During the 2023 ND legislative session, Senate Bill No. 2181 passed that allowed for Medicaid coverage for pregnant women who are legally in the U.S. without regard to length of time they have been in the U.S. or qualifying quarters of social security coverage. We are recommending the same change be made for children. This will allow us to provide children who are here legally with access to health care services and connect them with cost effective preventive care.

Currently 36 states plus the District of Columbia provide Medicaid coverage to lawfully present children without a 5-year waiting period.