Medicaid Monitor
Policy Intelligence
Medicaid Monitor
Policy Intelligence
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Alabama Reflector

5 stories

State Policy·AL·34d ago

Alabama Black Belt Children Face Higher Infant Mortality, Limited Obstetric Access

Children in Alabama's 24-county Black Belt region experience infant mortality rates above 9 per 1,000 live births versus 6.5 in non-Black Belt counties, with some counties exceeding 30 per 1,000, according to University of Alabama researchers. Only three Black Belt counties have hospitals with obstetrics services, forcing most pregnant women to travel outside their county for care. Researchers attribute disparities to lack of Medicaid expansion, transportation barriers, and lower household incomes, and recommend expanding the state's Well Woman Program and pre-kindergarten access.

State Policy·AL·34d ago

Doug Jones Proposes Medicaid Expansion, IVF Protections in Alabama Gubernatorial Platform

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones unveiled a policy agenda calling for Medicaid expansion, constitutional protections for IVF and contraception, a one-year moratorium on data centers, affordable housing expansion, and greater local government authority including citizen ballot initiatives. The proposals, announced July 27, 2026, would require legislative approval if Jones wins the November election. Republicans currently control both chambers of the Alabama Legislature and hold supermajorities. Jones faces Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville in the general election.

State Policy·AL·34d ago

Alabama ACA Enrollment Drops 23% After Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire

Alabama saw 95,000 people — 23% of total enrollment — drop Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage in 2026 after enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The tax credits, which lowered premiums and expanded eligibility to households earning above 400% of the federal poverty level, were not extended by Congress despite advocacy from Democrats during fall 2025 budget negotiations. Without the subsidies, premiums increased 58% on average nationally. The decline affects small business owners, multiple-job holders, and early retirees ineligible for Medicaid or employer coverage — including Alabamians in the Medicaid coverage gap, since Alabama has not expanded Medicaid.

State Policy·AL·44d ago

Alabama Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidate Proposes Medicaid Expansion

Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, the Democratic nominee for Alabama lieutenant governor, announced a policy platform that includes Medicaid expansion and a voter-approved lottery at a press conference Wednesday. The lieutenant governor's office in Alabama has limited statutory authority to implement policy independently. Medicaid expansion would require legislative action and gubernatorial support. The announcement reflects continued Democratic advocacy for expansion in one of the 10 remaining non-expansion states.

State Policy·AL·68d ago

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.

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