Legislative Activity

The "Medicaid Improvement for Insular Areas Act of 2025" eliminates the cap on general Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, beginning in fiscal year 2025. This change amends Section 1108 of the Social Security Act, removing previous funding limitations for these territories. The act also updates relevant references in Sections 1902(j) and 1903(u) of the Social Security Act to reflect these changes.

The "Marianas Air Service Improvement Act" amends title 49 of the United States Code to ease air service eligibility requirements for the Northern Mariana Islands. This bill exempts the Northern Mariana Islands from certain air service requirements, similar to existing exemptions for Alaska and Hawaii, to improve air service to the region.

The "Employment Services and Jobs Parity Act" amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa in key provisions, such as the definition section, unemployment compensation law requirements, and allotment provisions. Beginning in the first fiscal year after 2025, if funding exceeds 2025 levels, both the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa will receive allotments equal to half the amount allotted to Guam.