New Bill Would Make USVI Eligible For Medicaid And Tax Credits

U.S. VIGIN ISLANDS—Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Nydia Velázquez are introducing a bill that would extend several federal aid programs to U.S. territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Currently, U.S. territories are not eligible for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and certain beneficial tax credits. Senator Sander and Representative Velázquez are out to change that.

“The legislation we’re introducing today stops unequal treatment of the territories, and will put an end to inequities in federal law that have allowed too many to fall behind in almost every measurable social and economic outcome,” said Senator Sanders (I-VT).

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The Bill is called the Territorial Equity Act of 2021. Here is how it would affect the U.S. Virgin Islands:

• Provide need-based, open-ended Medicaid funding, the same that is currently available to the fifty states and D.C.
• Update hospital reimbursements and increase funding for prescription drug coverage for low-income seniors.
• Extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
• Provide equitable treatment for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with respect to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The Child Tax Credit was recently extended to the U.S. Virgin Islands via the American Rescue Plan.

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