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Tuesday, July 14 · 17 stories
- State Policy · MO
Missouri Enacts Law Expanding Medicaid Doula Visits and Contraceptive Coverage
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation expanding women's and maternal health coverage under Medicaid, including increased doula visit allowances for pregnant enrollees and extended contraceptive supplies. The law touches dozens of healthcare statutes and includes nonprofit hospital protections. The bill passed with bipartisan support. Specific effective dates and implementation details were not provided in the available reporting.
- State Policy
KFF Tracker Compiles State Implementation Timelines for H.R. 1 Medicaid Work Requirements and Coverage Changes
This resource tracks state-by-state implementation dates for H.R. 1's Medicaid eligibility changes, including work requirements, immigration-related funding restrictions, elimination of retroactive coverage, and transition to six-month renewals for certain populations. States are implementing these provisions on varying timelines as they submit required state plan amendments and receive federal approval. The tracker provides a centralized reference for when specific coverage restrictions and eligibility changes take effect in each state.
Monday, July 13 · 34 stories
- Industry
House Passes Bipartisan Tax Credit Extension Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill extending tax credits on January 8, 2026. The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) CEO Margaret A. Murray issued a statement following the vote. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Specific details on which tax credits are extended and the duration of the extension were not provided in the available excerpt.
- Federal Policy
Partnership for Medicaid Urges Congress to Reject Medicaid Cuts
The Partnership for Medicaid, a coalition of clinicians, providers, safety net health plans, and counties, issued a statement February 7, 2025 calling on Congress to reject proposed cuts to the Medicaid program. The statement does not specify which legislative proposals or budget reconciliation measures are targeted. No timeline for congressional action is provided. The coalition represents stakeholders across the Medicaid delivery system, including managed care organizations.
- State Policy · ND
North Dakota Offers $40M in Federal Grants for Rural Hospital Equipment
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services announced $40 million in grants for rural hospital equipment upgrades through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding comes from the state's $200 million allocation under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025. The grants are available to rural hospitals for clinical equipment modernization. Application details and timelines were not specified in the announcement.
- State Policy · AR
Arkansas Opens Applications for $55.6M Federal Rural Telehealth Funding
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday that providers can now apply for shares of $55.6 million in federal funding for rural telehealth projects. The funding comes from the Rural Health Transformation Program established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025. Applications are being administered through the Arkansas Department of Finance. The program aims to expand telehealth infrastructure and services in underserved rural areas of the state.
- State Policy · KY
Kentucky Medicaid Commissioner Addresses Budget Cuts at Frankfort Hearing
Kentucky Medicaid Commissioner Lisa Lee presented on proposed Medicaid budget cuts during a Wednesday hearing in Frankfort. Officials were questioned about provider recoupments, expenditures, and other financial data, though several key questions about the budget proposal remained unanswered. The hearing highlighted concerns about how proposed cuts would affect Medicaid beneficiaries and caregivers. No specific implementation timeline or financial details were reported.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $794 Million in Block Grants for Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration distributed $794 million in block grant funding to states and territories for community-based mental health services and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. The funding was distributed in February 2026 across all states and U.S. territories. This matters for Medicaid managed care organizations because block grant-funded community providers often serve as essential network partners for behavioral health services, and state allocation decisions may affect provider capacity, referral patterns, and care coordination requirements for Medicaid enrollees.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Announces $231M Funding Opportunity for 988 Lifeline Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced a $231 million funding opportunity to administer the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline operates a national network of over 200 local crisis contact centers managed by a SAMHSA-funded network administrator. In 2025, the lifeline received more than 8 million contacts from help seekers via call, text, chat, and ASL videophone. The funding opportunity will support continued administration of the crisis response infrastructure that Medicaid managed care organizations increasingly coordinate with for behavioral health crisis services.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $98M for Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $98 million for a Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot on September 24, 2025. The funding supports efforts to eliminate hepatitis C, which disproportionately affects individuals with substance use disorders who are frequently enrolled in Medicaid managed care behavioral health programs. Medicaid managed care organizations with behavioral health carve-ins or specialty behavioral health contracts may see increased screening and treatment activity for hepatitis C among their members. The initiative reflects federal prioritization of addressing co-occurring conditions in populations with substance use disorders.
- Federal Policy · PA
SAMHSA Awards $2M to Expand CCBHC Services for Homeless in Philadelphia
SAMHSA awarded $2 million in supplemental funding to Merakey Philadelphia to launch a pilot program expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) services in the Kensington neighborhood. The program targets homeless individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders to facilitate treatment access. The funding supports service expansion in a neighborhood with significant behavioral health needs. This represents federal investment in the CCBHC model, which many states use through Medicaid demonstration programs to deliver comprehensive behavioral health services with enhanced federal matching funds.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $43M to States for Youth Opioid Recovery Housing
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced $43 million in supplemental funding for State Opioid Response (SOR) program grantees to expand recovery housing services for young adults ages 18-24. The funding is available immediately to existing SOR grantees. This supplements existing SOR grant awards and targets a population often transitioning out of foster care or juvenile justice systems, many of whom are Medicaid-eligible. The investment aims to fill gaps in residential recovery support for young adults with opioid use disorder.
- Managed Care
Medicaid Plans Face Performance Pressure on Member Outreach for High-Need Enrollees
Medicaid managed care organizations are under scrutiny for their ability to locate and engage high-need members who require intensive services. The core challenge is not service availability but systematic outreach failures that prevent members from accessing existing benefits. Plans are increasingly held accountable for proactive member contact and engagement, particularly for populations with complex needs. This shift represents a growing emphasis on MCO responsibility for population health outcomes beyond passive claims payment.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Opens $69M in Grant Funding for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs
SAMHSA announced $69.1 million in available grant funding across three behavioral health programs: the Children's Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems, and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). The funding opportunities target serious mental illness treatment and suicide prevention services. Applications are now open for eligible providers and health systems. For Medicaid managed care organizations with behavioral health carved-in or carved-out arrangements, these grants may affect network adequacy, crisis service capacity, and partnerships with community providers receiving federal funding.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $1.5 Billion in State and Tribal Opioid Response Grants
HHS through SAMHSA announced more than $1.5 billion in FY25 continuation funding for State Opioid Response (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants on September 22, 2025. The funding supports states and tribal communities in addressing the overdose crisis through prevention, overdose reversal medications, treatment including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and recovery support services. These are continuation awards, meaning recipients were previously awarded these grants and are receiving ongoing funding for existing programs.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $19M in Block Grant Funding for SMI Housing Programs
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced $19 million in supplemental Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding to strengthen housing capacity for homeless individuals with serious mental illness. The funding addresses the intersection of homelessness and SMI through state-administered block grant programs. States will receive allocations to expand housing-related services and supports for this population. This matters for Medicaid managed care organizations because behavioral health plans often coordinate with state housing programs and provide wraparound services for members experiencing homelessness with SMI diagnoses.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $45 Million to States for Young Adult Sober Housing Under SOR Program
SAMHSA announced more than $45 million in supplemental funding to State Opioid Response (SOR) program recipients to support sober and recovery housing services for young adults. The funding supplements existing state SOR grants to expand residential treatment options for young adults with substance use disorders. States that currently receive SOR funding are eligible to apply for these supplemental awards. The funding addresses a gap in sober housing options for young adults, a population with elevated overdose risk and barriers to traditional treatment settings.
- Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $19 Million to States for Housing for Homeless with Serious Mental Illness
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $19 million in supplemental funding to 51 states, territories, and jurisdictions to build housing capacity for homeless individuals with serious mental illness. The funding provides additional resources for state programs serving this population. The announcement was made September 18, 2025. For Medicaid managed care organizations with behavioral health carve-ins or whole health responsibilities, these state funds may complement or require coordination with MCO housing-related supports and services for members experiencing homelessness.
- State Policy · CA
California Medi-Cal Expands Pre-Release Services for Justice-Involved Enrollees
California's Medi-Cal program is providing pre-release services to individuals exiting jails and prisons, connecting them to health care, housing, and supportive services before release. The initiative targets justice-involved Medicaid enrollees to improve continuity of care and reduce recidivism. Services include care coordination, medication access, and discharge planning while individuals are still incarcerated. The program reflects California's use of federal flexibilities allowing Medicaid coverage up to 90 days before release from correctional facilities.
- Legal
Idaho AG Requests Expanded Medicaid Data Access for Fraud Investigations at White House Roundtable
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador asked Vice President JD Vance and federal officials on Tuesday for broader access to Medicaid data to support fraud investigation and recovery efforts. Labrador participated in a White House roundtable with Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and attorneys general from 14 other states. The request signals potential federal policy movement toward expanded state AG access to Medicaid claims and enrollment data for program integrity purposes. No immediate action or timeline was announced.