NHeLP Director Outlines Post-Midterm Medicaid Advocacy Agenda
In a commentary published by the National Health Law Program, Executive Director Jennifer Cannistra argues that the 2026 midterms create an opening to reverse Medicaid cuts and restore expired ACA subsidies. She cites the organization's recent actions, including the Taylor v. Kennedy lawsuit challenging federal Medicaid work requirement rules for people who are medically frail, a suit demanding transparency about sharing Medicaid enrollees' data with immigration enforcement, and opposition to using "waste, fraud, and abuse" claims to freeze Medicaid funding. Cannistra states federal law requires most states to launch Medicaid work requirements by January 1, and says the organization will work with state partners to prevent eligible enrollees from losing coverage to red tape. She also says NHeLP is developing a "Medicaid Repro Roadmap" to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care, to be presented to Congress and state legislatures this spring.