Foster youth in San Francisco and Oakland could gain broader access to health and dental care under two bipartisan bills reintroduced in Congress on Oct. 1.
U.S. Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) and Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) introduced the legislation to close gaps in Medicaid coverage for current and former foster youth. In California, Medicaid operates as Medi-Cal, providing health coverage to eligible low-income residents, including young people transitioning out of foster care.
The Foster Youth Dental Act of 2026 would improve access to dental services by increasing incentives for providers and helping eligible youth maintain coverage. A second measure, the Expanding Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act, would extend eligibility to additional young adults, including those who left foster care through kinship guardianships or were emancipated before turning 18.
The proposals could benefit young people throughout the Bay Area who face challenges securing health care, housing and employment after leaving foster care. Both San Francisco and Alameda counties serve foster youth who could be affected by changes to federal eligibility rules.
“We must support the health care needs of the more than 23,000 young people who age out of our nation’s foster care system each year,” Kamlager-Dove said.
The legislation would also require states to improve outreach and enrollment efforts, helping former foster youth maintain health coverage as they enter adulthood.
