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SSI and Medicaid Expansion for U.S. Territories Included in President Biden's Latest $1.85 Trillion Framework

The Democratic-controlled House Rules Committee in the U.S. Congress on Thursday released the draft text of President Joe Biden's latest $1.85 trillion social spending and climate bill, including what would be historic expansions of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and Medicaid to residents of U.S. territories. If Congress acts based on this draft language, it could mean monthly SSI checks of up to $794 directly to more than 300,000 of the most vulnerable residents of U.S. territories. The proposed Medicaid expansion would bring these programs much closer to full parity, greatly expanding healthcare availability for low-income territorial residents, said Equally American, which has long advocated for expanding SSI and Medicaid in the territories. “If the proposed expansions to SSI and Medicaid are enacted into law, this would represent a truly historic step towards equality for the 3.5 million U.S. citizens who call the territories home,” said Neil Weare, presi...