State Policy
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- State Policy · MI
Michigan Advocates Warn Federal Changes Could Cut Coverage for 200,000 Medicaid Beneficiaries
Health providers and advocates gathered at Michigan's Capitol on the 61st anniversary of Medicaid to warn that pending federal changes threaten coverage for approximately 200,000 Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries. The coalition highlighted risks to program access as federal policy shifts emerge. The timing and specific nature of the federal changes were not detailed in the brief report. For Michigan Medicaid stakeholders — state agencies, health plans, and providers — this signals potential enrollment losses and associated operational impacts as advocacy efforts mobilize against federal policy changes affecting the state program.
- State Policy · UT
Utah Advocates Warn Federal Rule Could Reduce Medicaid Coverage After Congressional Cuts
Utah Medicaid advocates are raising concerns that a new federal Medicaid rule will further reduce coverage in the state, compounding recent Congressional cuts to the program. The advocates cite cases of beneficiaries who could lose coverage, including substitute teachers facing gaps during summer months, a single mother who nearly lost her vision, and children affected by family custody situations. The timing and specific provisions of the federal rule are not detailed in the available excerpt, but advocates warn the combined effect of federal and Congressional actions threatens coverage continuity for vulnerable populations.
- State Policy · IL
Illinois Medicaid Disenrollment Drives Hospital Revenue Loss Ahead of Federal Work Requirements
Hospitals in Illinois are reporting financial losses as Medicaid enrollment declines in advance of federal work requirements scheduled to take effect in early 2027 under HR-1. William Davis, president of Deaconess Health System's Illinois region, is tracking enrollment drops among patients who previously had Medicaid coverage. The disenrollment is occurring before the federal mandate becomes operational, suggesting state-level eligibility changes or procedural terminations are already under way. The trend indicates that providers in states preparing for work requirement implementation may face immediate revenue pressure from coverage losses.
- State Policy · MI
Planned Parenthood of Michigan Closes Three Clinics After Medicaid Eligibility Changes
Planned Parenthood of Michigan permanently closed three clinic locations in Lansing, Livonia, and Warren effective immediately on Thursday, citing funding constraints after Republican federal legislation changed Medicaid coverage eligibility at Planned Parenthood facilities. The closures directly impact Medicaid beneficiaries' access to reproductive health services at these locations. The organization attributed the decision to financial pressures resulting from the federal Medicaid eligibility changes affecting Planned Parenthood providers specifically.
- State Policy
States Deploy Mobile Clinics and EMS Partnerships to Expand Rural Substance Use Treatment
States are implementing mobile clinics and emergency medical services partnerships to address rural access gaps in substance use disorder treatment. These delivery models aim to reach Medicaid beneficiaries in underserved areas where traditional brick-and-mortar providers are scarce. The strategies focus on expanding medication-assisted treatment and overdose prevention services in communities with limited behavioral health infrastructure. State Medicaid agencies can use federal authorities including Section 1115 waivers and health home state plan amendments to finance these alternative delivery models.
- State Policy · IN
Indiana Medicaid to Cover GLP-1 Medications for Obesity Under Federal Initiative
Indiana Governor Mike Braun directed the state's Family and Social Services Administration to cover GLP-1 medications for obesity through a federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center initiative. The policy will affect 1.9 million Medicaid enrollees in Indiana. The directive was issued July 30, 2026, though specific implementation timelines were not provided in the announcement. This marks a significant expansion of pharmacy benefits for Indiana's Medicaid population, as most state Medicaid programs have historically excluded coverage of anti-obesity medications.
- State Policy · LA
Louisiana Controlled Substance Law Restricts Hospital Access to Hemorrhage Medications
Louisiana's 2024 law reclassifying misoprostol and mifepristone as controlled substances has limited hospital access to these medications for emergency hemorrhage treatment in pregnant patients. The restrictions affect how quickly providers can obtain these drugs in non-abortion medical emergencies, creating delays in time-sensitive obstetric care. Other states are reportedly considering similar legislation. The law has operational implications for Medicaid-covered maternity care, where hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and misoprostol is a standard emergency treatment.
- State Policy · CO
Colorado Enacts ABA Provider Licensure Law With Medicaid Implications
Colorado Governor signed HB 26-1425 on June 2, 2026, establishing the Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Act. The law creates comprehensive licensing requirements for ABA practitioners and provider entities operating in Colorado, including facility licensing, professional liability insurance mandates, and provisions affecting Medicaid reimbursement. The legislation includes phased implementation timelines. ABA providers serving Colorado Medicaid beneficiaries must prepare for new credentialing, facility standards, and compliance requirements that will affect network participation and claims processing.
- State Policy · IA
Iowa Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Pledges to End Medicaid Managed Care
A Democratic candidate for Iowa governor has announced plans to eliminate the state's private Medicaid managed care program if elected, which would make Iowa the second state to exit managed care after implementing it. The candidate characterized the current managed care system as "a disaster." Iowa transitioned to managed care several years ago, contracting with private health plans to administer Medicaid benefits. The outcome of the gubernatorial race will determine whether Iowa's Medicaid MCOs retain their contracts or face termination, affecting coverage for hundreds of thousands of enrollees.
- State Policy
Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin Medicaid Directors Detail Member Engagement Strategies
Three state Medicaid directors describe operational approaches for gathering and acting on member feedback, including advisory councils, community listening sessions, and embedding member voices in agency decision-making. The leaders discuss how they structure engagement to reach diverse populations, particularly members with complex needs, and translate input into policy and operational changes. These practices aim to improve program responsiveness and member experience across eligibility, benefits, and service delivery.
- State Policy · LA
Louisiana Enacts Commercial PBM Reimbursement Floor Using NADAC
Louisiana enacted Act 913 on June 12, establishing a commercial market reimbursement floor for pharmacy benefit managers that requires use of National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) as the reimbursement benchmark. The law applies to commercial PBM arrangements and includes provisions intended to prevent cost-shifting to patients. The legislation took effect upon signing and affects how PBMs reimburse pharmacies in commercial insurance markets in Louisiana.
- State Policy · OR
Oregon Medicaid Enrollees Face New Requirements Under HR1 Starting January 2027
Oregon Health Plan enrollees will be subject to new eligibility requirements beginning January 2027 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1). The federal legislation mandates a slate of new requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries that Oregon must implement. The changes take effect in approximately six months. Oregon Medicaid agencies and managed care plans will need to modify systems, processes, and beneficiary communications to comply with the federal mandate.
- State Policy
CHCS Report Outlines State Strategies to Address Social Isolation Among Older Adults
The Center for Health Care Strategies published a report examining how states and communities can help older adults build social connections and reduce isolation. The report identifies strategies for state Medicaid agencies and community organizations to support older adults in connecting to social resources. It addresses a population health priority relevant to states implementing Medicaid LTSS programs and managed care plans serving dual-eligible beneficiaries. The guidance is particularly relevant for states operating HCBS waivers and integrated care models where social determinants of health are increasingly incorporated into care management.
- State Policy · NM
New Mexico Launches Healthy Aging App for Older Adults via UNM Health Sciences
The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center launched Vive Bien/Live Well, a healthy aging program designed to help older adults maintain health, independence, and quality of life. The program is funded by the New Mexico Health Care Authority and aligns with the World Health Organization's Integrated Care for Older People framework. The initiative targets the state's aging population with tools to support independent living and reduce care needs.
- State Policy · CA
California Business Group Opposes November Ballot Measure on Billionaire Tax for Medi-Cal
A California business association leader is opposing a November 2026 ballot measure that would impose a tax on billionaires to address Medi-Cal funding shortfalls and rising living costs. The op-ed argues the measure would harm long-term economic growth despite potential short-term revenue gains. The ballot measure has not yet been voted on. This matters for California Medi-Cal stakeholders because the measure, if passed, could alter the state's Medicaid funding landscape and sustainability.
- State Policy · NM
New Mexico Reports Doubled Postpartum Visits After 2022 Medicaid Extension
New Mexico Department of Health reported that its 2022 Medicaid postpartum coverage extension doubled medical visits among new mothers, according to preliminary evaluation results. The extension, implemented in 2022, expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage beyond the standard 60-day period. State officials cite the increased utilization as evidence the policy may help reduce maternal mortality. The evaluation is ongoing and final results have not been released.
- State Policy · IN
Indiana Imposes Six-Month Enrollment Moratorium on HCBS Waiver Providers Effective August 1
Indiana received CMS approval to implement a statewide provider certification and enrollment moratorium for multiple Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) waiver provider types. The moratorium takes effect August 1, 2026, and will initially remain in place for six months. The action halts new HCBS provider certifications and enrollments across Indiana's waiver programs during this period. Indiana Medicaid managed care organizations will be unable to contract with new HCBS providers in the affected categories while the moratorium is in effect, potentially limiting network expansion and member access to services.
- State Policy · AL
Alabama Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Jones Calls for Medicaid Expansion
Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, now the Democratic nominee for Alabama governor, delivered a policy speech Monday calling for Medicaid expansion alongside other reforms including a lottery vote and broader government participation measures. The speech outlined what Jones described as 'three real opportunities' for Alabamians, with Medicaid expansion positioned as part of his health policy agenda. Alabama remains one of the states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The policy positions represent a traditional Democratic platform in a state where Medicaid expansion has faced consistent Republican opposition.
- State Policy · CA
Los Angeles County Seeks Half-Cent Sales Tax to Shield Safety-Net Clinics from Medi-Cal Cuts
Los Angeles County voters will decide in June 2026 whether to approve a half-cent sales tax to generate approximately $1 billion annually for community health clinics. The proposed tax aims to protect safety-net providers from ongoing state Medi-Cal budget reductions and federal funding cuts. If approved, the measure would take effect following the June ballot. The initiative responds to financial pressures threatening clinic operations and access to care for Medi-Cal enrollees who rely on community clinics for primary care, behavioral health, and other essential services.
- State Policy · GA
Georgia Excludes HIV from Medically Frail Exemptions in Medicaid Work Requirement Proposal
Georgia's proposed Medicaid work requirement does not include HIV on its list of conditions qualifying beneficiaries as medically frail, meaning low-income Georgians living with HIV would need to meet work requirements to maintain coverage. The proposal is still under consideration by state officials. Advocates are questioning the exclusion, which could affect eligibility for vulnerable populations. The decision stands in contrast to other states that have included HIV in medically frail definitions for work requirement waivers.
