Medicaid news from every state
Medicaid reporting from more than 400 local newsrooms, public radio stations, advocates, attorneys general and state agencies, sorted into one feed per state and updated every four hours.
Medicaid stories from local newsrooms in every state, updated every four hours.
Latest from every state, page 29
- Published Oct 9CA
Newsom Opposes California Ballot Measure Prop 44 on Clinic Funding
Governor Gavin Newsom announced opposition to California's Proposition 44, a ballot measure he says would strip health care access for millions of patients by forcing community health clinics to cut services or close. The California Primary Care Association, which leads a coalition of over 300 organizations and 1,000 clinics opposing the measure, welcomed Newsom's endorsement of the "No on Prop 44" campaign. Community health clinics serve roughly 7 million California patients, including about one in three Medi-Cal enrollees, children, seniors, veterans, and uninsured residents, and are often the only care source in rural and underserved areas. The measure will appear before voters on an upcoming Election Day.
Why it mattersIf Prop 44 passes and clinics close or cut services, California's Medi-Cal managed care plans and state agencies would face reduced safety-net capacity for roughly a third of their enrollees in underserved and rural areas.
- Published Oct 9OR
Oregon Gubernatorial Candidates Clash Over Hospital Regulation, Rural Care
In a debate aired by NBC5, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan sparred over state healthcare regulation and its impact on rural hospitals, citing Asante's more than $1.5 million in state fines as a flashpoint. The candidates presented differing views on whether current regulatory enforcement helps or harms rural hospital systems' ability to operate. The debate occurred this week as part of the 2026 Oregon gubernatorial race. No specific regulatory or Medicaid policy proposal was detailed beyond the candidates' broader disagreement over state oversight of hospitals.
Why it mattersState regulatory posture toward hospital compliance and fines directly affects access and financial stability for rural Medicaid-serving providers in Oregon.
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9ME
Maine Governor Candidates Diverge Sharply on MaineCare Policy
The Maine Monitor compares health care proposals from the three major candidates for Maine governor: independent Rick Bennett, Republican Bobby Charles and Democrat Hannah Pingree. All three support raising MaineCare reimbursement rates and recruiting more providers, but they diverge significantly elsewhere. Bennett and Pingree back working toward universal health coverage, with Bennett also proposing a medical debt relief program and faster, more reliable MaineCare payments. Charles, who has not released a detailed health policy plan, has instead focused on alleged fraud and mismanagement at the Maine DHHS, opposes Medicaid expansion, and has pledged to fire all department leadership. The comparison comes as roughly 31,000 Mainers face losing MaineCare coverage and 78,000 face new work requirements under federal Medicaid cuts, with rural areas and maternity units especially at risk.
Why it mattersThe outcome of Maine's gubernatorial race will shape how the state responds to federal Medicaid cuts, reimbursement rates, and provider retention amid an accelerating rural health care access crisis.
- Published Oct 9CT
Connecticut Health Foundation Roundup: 3,200 Lose Medicaid in CT
In its weekly health news roundup, the Connecticut Health Foundation compiles reporting on several developments: proposed CDC changes to the National Health Interview Survey would drop disability-related questions, worrying advocates about undercounting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Connecticut officials estimate roughly 3,200 refugees, asylees and other noncitizens lost Medicaid and CHIP eligibility under the federal budget reconciliation law, with those affected also barred from subsidized exchange plans starting January 2027; Governor Ned Lamont acknowledged that new Medicaid work requirements taking effect January 1 threaten coverage for about 108,000 residents in HUSKY D but declined to pledge state funds to offset federal cuts; a piece on hospital financial assistance tools to prevent medical debt; and a report on AI agent security risks in health care settings. Each item is sourced from a different outlet.
Why it mattersConnecticut Medicaid agencies, exchange officials, and HUSKY D enrollees face concrete coverage losses from federal eligibility and work-requirement changes, while the state weighs whether to backfill funding gaps with its own budget.
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9FL
Florida Appeals Court Upholds Centene Settlement to Hope Florida Charity
Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that a $10 million settlement payment from Medicaid managed care provider Centene to the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity tied to Gov. Ron DeSantis's wife, was legal. DeSantis praised the ruling as vindication and called for "accountability" against critics who had questioned the arrangement. The settlement stemmed from a Medicaid-related dispute with Centene and drew scrutiny from state lawmakers over whether funds were improperly diverted from Medicaid overpayment recoveries to a politically connected nonprofit. The ruling clears a legal cloud over the arrangement but does not resolve the underlying political and legislative controversy.
Why it mattersThe ruling affects how states and MCOs can structure Medicaid settlement funds directed to third-party foundations, with implications for transparency and oversight of managed care dispute resolutions.
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 9
- Published Oct 8NY
NYC Pharmacy Owner Charged in $31M Medicaid Kickback Scheme
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced charges against a New York City pharmacy owner accused of running a $31 million Medicaid kickback and HIV drug diversion scheme. The scheme allegedly targeted vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries, using kickbacks tied to HIV medications to defraud the Medicaid program. James called the conduct "despicable" in a statement announcing the charges. Further details on the specific charges and defendants were not provided in the release.
Why it mattersThe case signals continued state-level enforcement scrutiny of pharmacy billing and specialty drug kickback arrangements that can trigger provider exclusion, clawbacks, and heightened program integrity audits across the Medicaid pharmacy benefit.
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8TX
THA Holds Final Listening Session, Delegation Visit in El Paso
In its weekly Healthcare Advocate newsletter, the Texas Hospital Association reports it hosted its third and final statewide listening session at University Medical Center of El Paso, discussing healthcare costs, behavioral health, workforce shortages and care gaps with local hospitals. Attendees also raised administrative burdens from insurance denials and prior authorizations, plus financial pressure from Texas's high uninsured rate and the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits. THA followed with a delegation visit for El Paso elected officials, including a "Hospital Finance 101" briefing on Medicaid and Medicare funding and a tour of UMC El Paso and El Paso Children's Hospital. The sessions will inform THA's advocacy priorities ahead of the state's 90th legislative session.
Why it mattersTexas hospitals' input on Medicaid/Medicare funding pressures and uninsured rates will directly shape THA's legislative priorities for the 90th session, affecting future state payment and coverage policy.
- Published Oct 8CA
California Plan Merges GEMT Supplemental Pay Into Standard Claim Checks
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan notified providers that, effective October 1, 2026, Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) supplemental payments to non-contracted providers will be folded into the standard Medi-Cal fee-for-service check-run rather than issued as a separate check. The change applies to non-contracted GEMT providers eligible for the supplemental payment under DHCS All Plan Letter 20-002 and Assembly Bill 1705. Providers meeting eligibility criteria will now see the GEMT supplement combined with their overall claim payment in one disbursement. The plan directs questions to its Provider Services Representatives or customer service line.
Why it mattersNon-contracted GEMT providers in HPSJ/MVHP's Medi-Cal network need to update payment reconciliation processes since supplemental funds will no longer arrive as a separately identifiable check.
- Published Oct 8NC
Vaya Health, Partners Health Management Merge Into Vaya Partners
Vaya Health and Partners Health Management completed a merger to form Vaya Partners, now North Carolina's largest local management entity/managed care organization (LME/MCO), serving over 225,000 members across 47 counties. The combined entity operates the Vaya Partners Tailored Plan, integrating behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, physical health, and pharmacy services for members. It also manages behavioral health, I/DD, and TBI services for NC Medicaid Direct beneficiaries and state-funded service users. Tracy Hayes, former Vaya Health CEO, leads the new organization, which aims to strengthen long-term stability and expand access to behavioral health services statewide.
Why it mattersThe merger consolidates behavioral health and IDD/TBI Medicaid managed care authority under a single LME/MCO, reshaping provider network contracting and care coordination across nearly half of North Carolina's counties.
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8WA
King County Official Details Response to Immigrant Medicaid Cuts
King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda discusses how the county is responding after federal changes removed roughly 11,000 Washington immigrants from Medicaid coverage, with additional cuts expected. Mosqueda characterizes the federal action as a "betrayal" and outlines county-level efforts to address the resulting coverage gaps. The affected population includes immigrants who had qualified for Medicaid under prior eligibility rules. The interview does not specify an effective date for further cuts but indicates the county is actively planning its response.
Why it mattersCounty and state health officials in Washington must now plan for safety-net costs and coverage gaps left by the federal eligibility restrictions affecting immigrant Medicaid enrollees.
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8
- Published Oct 8MN
Minnesota Budget Project Opposes CMS Provider Tax Rule
In a comment letter to CMS, the Minnesota Budget Project argues that a proposed rule amending the indirect hold harmless threshold for health care-related taxes goes beyond what H.R. 1 requires and would make it harder for states to finance Medicaid and other affordable care programs. The group says the rule would broaden provider tax restrictions to cover certain health insurer taxes even when unrelated to Medicaid funding, add new quarterly reporting burdens, and impose harsher penalties requiring states to return all revenue and matching funds tied to a tax that exceeds permitted thresholds, rather than just the excess amount. The letter was submitted during the public comment period that closed September 18, 2026. The organization warns the changes could jeopardize coverage for Minnesota's roughly 1.3 million Medicaid and MinnesotaCare enrollees and strain other state services.
Why it mattersState Medicaid agencies face a narrower set of financing tools and steeper fiscal risk if the rule's expanded tax restrictions and all-or-nothing repayment penalty take effect as proposed.