April 28, 2025
Mrs. Watson Coleman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce, 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
To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on interagency data sharing and collaboration between the State agencies that administer WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the WIC Collaboration Study Act
.
Sec. 2. GAO study on collaboration between WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—
(1)
carry out a study on whether interagency data sharing and collaboration between the State agencies that administer WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid, respectively, may result in increased enrollment in WIC; and
(2)
submit the findings of such study to the appropriate Congressional committees.
(b) Contents
In carrying out the study required under subsection (a)(1), the Comptroller General shall consider—
(1)
whether the interagency data sharing described in subsection (a)(1) may result in simplifying the WIC certification procedures described in section 17(d)(3) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786);
(2)
whether and how the State agencies that administer SNAP and Medicaid share data relating to such programs with State agencies that administer WIC, including—
(A)
how often such data sharing occurs; and
(B)
as of the date of the publication of the study, the number of data sharing agreements or memoranda of understanding between such State agencies related to such data sharing;
(3)
overlap between—
(A)
the information required by the WIC certification procedures described in paragraph (1); and
(B)
the information required by SNAP and Medicaid certification procedures, respectively, including income data;
(4)
the effectiveness of—
(A)
periodic meetings between representatives from State agencies administering WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid, respectively (as so designated by such agencies);
(B)
assessing gaps and overlap in enrollment of participants in WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid by comparing the enrollment and eligibility data of such participants; and
(C)
including the certification requirements for WIC as part of any online eligibility assessment or program application for SNAP or Medicaid;
(5)
the role of nonprofit organizations in assisting State agencies administering WIC with certifying individuals for participation in such program; and
(6)
the projected cost for States of mandatory interagency data sharing and collaboration described in subsection (a)(1).
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Medicaid
The term Medicaid means the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
(2) SNAP
The term SNAP means the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(3) WIC
The term WIC means the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1786).