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 3
- Published Nov 5AZ
AzHHA Newsletter Covers Arizona Election Results, CMS Frailty Rule Ruling
In its Connection Newsletter, AzHHA reports that Arizona appears headed toward unified Democratic control of the Governor's Office and both legislative chambers for the first time since the 1960s, based on unofficial results with counting ongoing; Governor Hobbs, Attorney General Mayes and Secretary of State Fontes races have been called by AP, while Senate and House majorities have not. AzHHA also reports that a federal court blocked part of a CMS Interim Final Rule that changed how states determine Medicaid "medically frail" status, after AzHHA joined a coalition of 25 states challenging the rule's provision tying frailty determinations to compliance with community engagement requirements. The court found Congress set a minimum federal definition of medical frailty. The statewide canvass in Arizona is set for Nov. 23.
Why it mattersArizona hospitals and the state Medicaid agency (AHCCCS) could see shifts in budget and health policy priorities under a potential unified Democratic government, while states relying on the blocked CMS frailty policy may need to revise how they determine Medicaid community engagement exemptions.
- Published Nov 5SD
CHAD Shares Community Worker's Story of Medicaid Enrollment Help
In a Medicaid stories post, the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD) shares an account from Erica, a community navigator at South Dakota Voices for Peace in Yankton, describing how she helped a pregnant, recently post-surgical single mother apply for and get approved for Medicaid coverage. The post notes that following South Dakota's Medicaid expansion, adults no longer need to be under 18 to qualify if they meet income guidelines. Erica encourages people to seek help from community health workers or social workers to navigate the application process. The piece is part of CHAD's ongoing Medicaid stories project collecting accounts of how Medicaid affects individuals and communities.
Why it mattersCommunity health workers and outreach organizations assisting Medicaid applicants in South Dakota may find value in highlighting expansion eligibility changes to reach more uninsured residents.
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5IA
Iowa to Launch Medicaid Work Requirements in December
Iowa will require Medicaid beneficiaries to work 80 hours a month or prove they are looking for work starting next month, with some exceptions, according to Iowa Starting Line. The outlet reports that about 300,000 children are enrolled in Medicaid in Iowa, making up more than 41% of the state's Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, citing KFF Health data. It also reports that Iowa SNAP recipients have dropped by about 21,000 since the Trump administration's budget bill took effect, and profiles a Medicaid and SNAP recipient who says the programs cover her daughter's medical care and her own addiction treatment.
Why it mattersIowa Medicaid beneficiaries, including parents managing children's specialty care and individuals in behavioral health treatment, may need to document work hours or job-search activity starting in December to retain coverage.
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 5FL
Foundation for Government Accountability Urges More Frequent Provider Revalidation
In a Foundation for Government Accountability post, the organization argues that states should revalidate all Medicaid providers every three years and revalidate high-risk providers annually to reduce fraud. The piece frames more frequent revalidation as a tool for states to crack down on fraudulent providers in their Medicaid programs.
Why it mattersState Medicaid agencies and providers could face more frequent revalidation requirements if states adopt the Foundation for Government Accountability's recommended three-year and annual review cycles.
- Published Nov 5
- Published Nov 4AZ
CMS Finalizes 2.4% Medicare Home Health Payment Increase for 2027
The Hertel Report covers a CMS final rule on the Home Health Prospective Payment System, which raises Medicare home-health payments by 2.4% in 2027. CMS states the increase combines a 2.1% payment update with a 0.3% increase tied to revisions in outlier payments. The rule also expands CMS's authority to revoke provider enrollment and recover improper payments, and the agency continues recovering what it considers excess payments made since 2020.
Why it mattersMedicare home health providers and agencies that also serve dually eligible Medicaid beneficiaries will want to track the payment changes and expanded enrollment revocation authority, since compliance exposure could extend to their Medicaid-facing operations.
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4NC
DNC Chair Vows Push to Repeal Medicaid, SNAP Cuts
Following Democratic election gains, DNC Chairman Ken Martin said the party's top legislative priority will be rolling back tariffs and reversing recent federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which he says were enacted to finance tax breaks for wealthy Americans. Martin called for repeal of the legislation he referred to as the "Big Ugly Bill," which reduced federal funding for the two safety-net programs. Democrats also plan oversight investigations into the executive branch and have discussed, but not committed to, impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. No specific legislative text, timeline, or vote has been introduced yet.
Why it mattersState Medicaid agencies and health plans should watch for potential federal legislative action that could restore or further alter Medicaid funding levels cut under recent budget law.
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4WA
Washington Policy Center Argues WA Cares Caregivers Shouldn't Pay Union Dues
In a Washington Policy Center commentary, Elizabeth New responds to a WA Cares program email recruiting family caregivers to provide long-term care to program beneficiaries, who are workers or former workers who paid into the program and meet its care-needs requirements. New argues that before the state recruits more family caregivers, it should address why caregiving for a spouse or parent requires sending part of their pay to a union.
Why it mattersFamily caregivers considering enrolling as paid WA Cares providers may want clarity on whether union dues are deducted from their compensation before signing up.
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4
- Published Nov 4