Congressman Juan Ciscomani announced the passage of his legislation aimed at expanding Medicaid access for working adults with disabilities. The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act (H.R. 1598) was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which President Trump signed into law on February 3.
Under current regulations, working adults with disabilities between ages 16 and 64 can buy into Medicaid. However, those benefits end when individuals turn 65, forcing them to choose between continued employment and maintaining their health coverage. The new legislation allows people over 65 to keep working while retaining their Medicaid benefits.
Ciscomani stated that this change will benefit many residents in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District by making Medicaid more accessible.
“House passage of the final funding package included key Medicaid legislation. This is a major step forward for working adults with disabilities who simply want the freedom to keep working without losing the care they rely on,” said Ciscomani. “This bill fixes a commonsense gap in the system by allowing individuals over 65 to continue working by choice while maintaining their Medicaid coverage. No one should be penalized for staying in the workforce, and I’m proud to see the House come together to advance a solution that promotes dignity, independence, and opportunity.”
Organizations representing adults with disabilities have welcomed the measure. Elise Aguilar, Director of Advocacy at ANCOR, expressed support: “We are grateful to Representative Ciscomani for his leadership in removing a barrier that prevented older, working adults with disabilities from participating in states’ Medicaid Buy-In programs. Access to Medicaid home and community-based services programs empowers people with disabilities, to live, work, and thrive in their communities,” said Barbara Merrill, ANCOR’s chief executive officer. “Thank you to Representative Ciscomani for ensuring this crucial legislation passed through the recent appropriations package and we urge the Senate to support this important policy.”
Juan Ciscomani has represented Arizona’s 6th district since replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in 2023. He won elections against Kirsten Engel in both 2022 and 2024. Born in Hermosillo, Mexico in 1982 and currently residing in Tucson, Ciscomani graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in 2005.
