Lift the bar act
Lift the Bar Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The Lift the Bar Act amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to expand access to certain benefits for noncitizens lawfully present in the United States. Specifically, it removes restrictions that previously limited eligibility for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and CHIP, and clarifies definitions related to ‘noncitizen’ and ‘qualified noncitizen’ within those programs. The bill also restores a premium tax credit provision and addresses Medicaid eligibility for certain noncitizens, including those with pending immigration applications or DACA status.
Key provisions
- Removes restrictions on SNAP, Medicaid, and CHIP eligibility for lawfully present noncitizens.
- Clarifies definitions of ‘noncitizen’ and ‘qualified noncitizen’ in relevant legislation.
- Restores a premium tax credit provision for certain noncitizens.
- Expands Medicaid eligibility to include noncitizens with pending immigration applications or DACA status.
- Updates the Compacts of Free Association to include Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
- Revises the definition of ‘noncitizen’ in several sections of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
- Addresses the exclusion of medical assistance expenditures for citizens of freely associated States.
- Provides guidance to federal agencies on implementing the bill’s provisions.
Who is affected
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Sponsors
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103 on record
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