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 7
- Published Nov 3WV
West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy Reports Poverty, Uninsured Rate Trends
In its analysis of new Census Bureau 2025 American Community Survey data, the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy reports that the state's poverty rate declined slightly to 16.0 percent in 2025, from 16.7 percent in 2024, while child poverty fell more sharply from 21.6 to 19.0 percent. West Virginia still ranks third-highest in poverty and eighth-highest in child poverty nationally, with median household income last among states at $61,340. The group also highlights that the uninsured rate rose to 6.9 percent, the highest since before the state's Medicaid expansion took effect, and warns it will likely climb further as Medicaid eligibility restrictions under HR 1 take effect. The Center argues the state should adopt a refundable child tax credit, affordable higher education, and a higher minimum wage to address persistent poverty.
Why it mattersRising uninsurance tied to incoming federal Medicaid eligibility restrictions signals state agencies and providers should expect growing coverage losses and uncompensated care pressures in West Virginia.
- Published Nov 3
- Published Nov 3
- Published Nov 3CT
CT Health Policy Reports Low Awareness of HUSKY Work Requirements
In a blog post, CT Health Policy (Ellen Andrews) describes its team's outreach at Connecticut community events, including a Hamden info session and Alzheimer's Association walk-a-thons, to warn caregivers that they are exempt from new federal HUSKY Part D work requirements. The group reports that Connecticut's Department of Social Services estimates about 100,000 people could lose coverage starting in January, and that AARP estimates 60,000 low-income Connecticut residents are family caregivers who may be on or eligible for HUSKY. CT Health Policy found that most HUSKY members, caregivers, and even home care providers it spoke with were unaware the work requirements were coming, and that enrollees may not receive termination notices if their contact information with DSS is outdated. The group has updated its HUSKYcaregivers.org site with town-by-town lists of at-risk HUSKY Part D members and outreach materials.
Why it mattersConnecticut Medicaid enrollees, caregivers, and providers face a January coverage-loss deadline tied to new work requirements, and low awareness combined with outdated contact information risks mass procedural disenrollment of eligible people, including exempt caregivers.
- Published Nov 3NY
New York Declares Measles Emergency, Advances Child Health Plus Expansion
In its New York Health Policy Monitor, Isaac Michaels reports that the Executive Chamber declared a statewide disaster emergency over a measles outbreak spanning 18 counties, directing state agencies to coordinate vaccination and testing with local health departments. The Education Department simultaneously issued an emergency rule letting out-of-state licensed professionals provide charitable clinical services to expand workforce capacity. Separately, a Senate bill (S10698) would eliminate income limits and premiums from Child Health Plus, creating universal child coverage with Medicare-equivalent reimbursement rates, while other pending bills address Medical Aid in Dying reporting, home care agency registration, maternal depression screening, and school-based behavioral health intervention. The legislative measures remain in committee with no enactment date yet set.
Why it mattersState Medicaid and CHIP stakeholders should watch S10698 closely, as removing eligibility caps and setting Medicare-equivalent rates for Child Health Plus would significantly reshape coverage scope and plan reimbursement in New York.
- Published Nov 3
- Published Nov 3
- Published Nov 3
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2CO
CCLP Blasts Colorado Governor's $600M Medicaid Budget Cuts
In a press release, the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP) condemns Governor Polis's 2027-2028 budget request, which proposes $600 million in Medicaid cuts by capping medical cost growth at the TABOR revenue cap rate. CCLP argues this ignores real cost drivers like an aging population, post-COVID disability costs, and federal Medicaid cuts under H.R. 1, and warns the approach amounts to service and provider reimbursement cuts that will disproportionately harm rural communities. The group is urging support for Amendment 87, a ballot measure voted on November 3 that would move Colorado to a graduated income tax, lowering taxes for 97% of residents while directing new revenue from high earners to health care, childcare, and education. CCLP criticizes Polis for opposing the amendment while proposing the cuts.
Why it mattersMedicaid providers and beneficiaries in Colorado face potential rate reductions and service cuts if the state ties Medicaid spending growth to a revenue cap that does not account for actual health care cost drivers.
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2WA
Washington Insurance Commissioner Gee Backs Universal Primary Care Push
In a KIRO 7 opinion piece, Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler's office (branded here as "Gee") argues the state should move toward universal healthcare by first guaranteeing primary care access for all residents. The piece frames catastrophic medical costs as a financial risk the state should mitigate, positioning primary care as a starting point rather than full single-payer reform. No specific legislation, funding mechanism, or implementation timeline is detailed in the commentary. The argument is directed at Washington policymakers and residents weighing incremental versus comprehensive health coverage expansion.
Why it mattersState policymakers and Medicaid stakeholders in Washington should watch whether this advocacy translates into concrete legislative proposals that could reshape coverage design and funding obligations.
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2MN
Minnesota Senate Candidates Spar Over Medicaid Fraud, Affordability
In final campaign interviews with WDIO ahead of Election Day, Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates Peggy Flanagan (D) and Michelle Tafoya (R) staked out contrasting positions on affordability, fraud and government spending. Flanagan, the state's lieutenant governor, cited her own family's reliance on Medicaid, SNAP and Section 8 to argue for stronger safety-net and healthcare policies, while criticizing federal spending priorities under President Trump. Tafoya countered by blaming state leadership for roughly $9 billion in fraud losses tied to Minnesota government programs, calling for stronger oversight and program integrity safeguards. The race, covering mining, energy and immigration as well, will be decided when Minnesota voters go to the polls.
Why it mattersState Medicaid program integrity and fraud oversight have become central campaign issues that could shape future federal and state scrutiny of Minnesota's Medicaid spending controls.
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2NC
Ahold Delhaize Pays $40M to Settle Inflated Drug Price Claims
A multistate settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that Ahold Delhaize, the parent of Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop, reported inflated "usual and customary" drug prices to Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and TRICARE. The company's pharmacies allegedly offered discounted prices through prescription savings programs but failed to report those discounted prices as the usual and customary price on claims, causing the programs to overpay for drugs. North Carolina will recover $503,460 under the $40 million settlement, which stemmed from a whistleblower lawsuit in the Western District of Pennsylvania and a joint investigation by NAMFCU state Medicaid Fraud Control Units and DOJ. The resolution was announced November 2, 2026.
Why it mattersThe settlement signals continued multistate enforcement scrutiny of pharmacy usual-and-customary pricing practices, a compliance area with direct exposure for retail pharmacies billing Medicaid and other federal health programs.
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2NH
Williams Argues Congress Must Reverse Medicaid Cuts Harming Seniors
In an opinion piece published via New Hampshire Health Care Association and originally run in the New Hampshire Union Leader, Brendan Williams argues that federal Medicaid cuts threaten long-term care for a rapidly aging population. He cites demographic shifts, noting 11 states now have more residents over 65 than under 18, up from three in 2020, and contends decades of warnings about a "silver tsunami" of baby boomers went unheeded by federal policymakers. Williams argues Congress failed to plan for long-term care capacity and funding needs, and calls for reversing recent Medicaid cuts to protect senior care services. The piece frames Medicaid as the primary payer for long-term care and warns of consequences if funding is not restored.
Why it mattersNursing facilities and long-term care providers that depend on Medicaid reimbursement face capacity and solvency pressure if federal funding cuts are not reversed amid rising senior care demand.
- Published Nov 2NM
New Mexico Launches Outreach on Medicaid, SNAP Eligibility Changes
The New Mexico Health Care Authority is launching "Keep Your Benefits NM," a series of free, in-person information sessions to help residents navigate upcoming federal Medicaid changes and recent SNAP updates. The first sessions take place November 5 at Albuquerque's Gateway Center, with Spanish interpretation and representatives from the Department of Workforce Solutions on hand to discuss job-training resources. Sessions aim to help beneficiaries understand new requirements and avoid coverage or benefit interruptions. State officials are urging Medicaid and SNAP recipients to update contact information and monitor notices closely, with a full event schedule posted at KeepYourBenefitsNM.com.
Why it mattersBeneficiary outreach and accurate contact information directly affect redetermination accuracy, making this a key lever for states and health plans trying to limit procedural disenrollments as new federal requirements take effect.
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2KS
Kansas Inspector General Finds $238M in Improper HCBS Waiver Payments
An interim report from the Kansas Attorney General's Office of Inspector General found the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) improperly paid managed care organizations more than $238 million in capitation for HCBS waiver beneficiaries, including Brain Injury, Frail and Elderly, and Physically Disabled waivers, who went without required functional reassessments for over 730 days or beyond the normal 365-day window. The audit, a full review of 21,632 beneficiaries rather than a sample, found 27% had overdue assessments, with error rates as high as 35% in the PD waiver. KDADS disputed the findings, calling them extrapolation from small samples, but the IG countered the review was a 100% review of fallout reports, not a projection. The OIG also noted the improper capitation could be subject to federal clawback at Kansas's FMAP rate, and flagged that $24 million intended to reduce the state's over-capped I/DD waiver waitlist was instead transferred to the Frail and Elderly waitlist.
Why it mattersKansas faces potential federal recoupment of tens of millions in capitation dollars and heightened CMS scrutiny over HCBS waiver eligibility redetermination failures tied to MCO oversight.
- Published Nov 2
- Published Nov 2