States Track Medicaid Work Requirement Prep in October Roundup
In its States of Innovation October 2026 roundup, State Health and Value Strategies reports that states worked through operational details of Medicaid work reporting requirements that start in 2027, including exemption screening tools and proposed medical frailty policies posted for public comment. A group of governors asked HHS to delay the January 1 compliance date and urged Congress to repeal the requirements, while state agencies testified before legislative committees on readiness. States also helped non-citizens who lost Medicaid eligibility on October 1 find other coverage, and several states announced fraud, waste and abuse measures, including New York's crackdown on its Medicaid Social Adult Day Care program and Oklahoma's strengthened provider credentialing and audit protections. CMS approved section 1115 renewals, a reentry demonstration for pre-release services, and a new demonstration covering traditional healing practices, and states continued announcing Rural Health Transformation Program awards.