Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-eligible Residents Now Act or the COVER Now Act This bill establishes a demonstration program to allow local governments to provide health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Under the program, local governments may provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) for a maximum of 10 years, or until their respective states expand Medicaid. The bill provides a 100% federal matching rate for the first three years of program participation. The bill prohibits states from taking certain actions against participating localities, such as withholding funding, increasing taxes, or restricting provider participation. States that violate these requirements are subject to certain funding penalties.
Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act This bill establishes an enhanced penalty—an additional prison term of up to five years—for certain human trafficking offenses and sex offenses involving minors that occur within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a school, school-sponsored activity, playground, or public housing facility; or within 100 feet of certain other places where children gather (e.g., a youth center or swimming pool). The additional prison term must be served consecutively with the prison term imposed for the underlying offense.