In this week’s update:
- Medicaid Directors’ Approach to Medicaid Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
- State Action for Healthcare Affordability
- State updates: AR, CA, CO, CT, GA, IN, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, SD, VA & WA
Medicaid Directors’ Approach to Medicaid Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
A three-part blog from the National Association of Medicaid Directors lays out what states are doing to improve Medicaid integrity; describes a framework for understanding fraud, waste, and abuse; explains how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can support state efforts; and more.
State Action for Healthcare Affordability
State Health & Value Strategies published a blog in its States of Innovation series highlighting how states are working to achieve better, more affordable and more equitable health for all, such as extending Marketplace affordability through state-based subsidies.
State updates: AR, CA, CO, CT, GA, IN, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, SD, VA & WA
- Arkansas created a webpage highlighting its Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.
- California’s subsidies—created to offset the expiration of federal enhanced premium tax credits—helped keep renewals steady, with more than 1.9 million residents enrolling in or renewing their insurance during open enrollment.
- Colorado‘s Department of Health Care Policy & Financing released three annual reports on the financial health of state hospitals and the benefits they deliver to communities, helping the department control costs, identify and address emerging challenges earlier, and support policies that improve healthcare access, affordability, and outcomes.
- Connecticut is receiving a $154 million federal grant through the RHT Program.
- Georgia received final approval from CMS to utilize funds awarded through the RHT Program for its Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health Program and is working with subgrantees to coordinate next steps and maximize the impact of the funds.
- Indiana is accepting requests for funding applications for Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being Regional Grants, an initiative of its RHT Program.
- Maryland’s lieutenant governor expanded the substance-use recovery services for rural communities through $1.6 million in awards to prepare people who have lived experience in recovery for careers as Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.
- Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services is seeking proposals for community-based, primary substance abuse prevention programs for youth to delay the initiation of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
- New Jersey enrolled more than 509,000 residents in health coverage through the state’s Marketplace for 2026, but the full effect of the loss of federal subsidies has not yet been felt.
- New Mexico’s Health Care Authority is hosting an online public feedback session on the transition of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act program to the agency.
- New York’s governor launched a public awareness campaign to educate residents on regulations that improve access to mental health and substance-use disorder care.
- North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services is seeking applications from qualified organizations to serve as designated leads of the Rural Organizations Orchestrating Transformation for Sustainability Hub for its RHT Program.
- Ohio‘s Department of Health posted RHT Program solicitation invitations, including for a rural health workforce pipeline, pathways for upskilling and retention, and a pharmacy initiative.
- South Dakota released its first and second rounds of RHT Program requests for proposals.
- Virginia‘s governor appointed a new director of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.
- Washington‘s Department of Children, Youth, and Families and its Health Care Authority will be the first state agency to provide healthcare services to individuals exiting from a carceral setting.