PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 20, 2021
Territorial Equity Act of 2021
This bill alters provisions relating to the treatment of U.S. territories under Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and other federal assistance programs.
The bill modifies provisions under several health care programs with respect to U.S. territories. Among other changes, the bill
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
eliminates Medicaid funding limitations for U.S. territories beginning in FY2022,
repeals provisions that exclude residents of Puerto Rico from a certain automatic enrollment process for Medicare medical services,
establishes minimum criteria for certain elements used in Medicare Advantage payment calculations for areas within U.S. territories, and
allows residents of U.S. territories who are unable to obtain health insurance through their employer or a health insurance exchange to instead obtain coverage that is at least as broad as the coverage available to Members of Congress and their staff through the District of Columbia exchange.
The bill also modifies provisions under other federal assistance programs. Among other changes, the bill
allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program);
makes residents of Puerto Rico eligible for the federal earned income tax credit; and
extends the SSI program to Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
People & committees
Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 21, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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