In This Week’s Update:

• The Impact of Enrollment and Retention Policies on Coverage
• Engaging Medicaid Members and CBOs Through BACs
• Expanded Child Tax Credit Payments Associated with Decreased Adverse Birth Outcomes
• Policy Implications of Vaccine Recommendations
• State updates: CA, MA, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NY, PA & UT

The Impact of Enrollment and Retention Policies on Coverage
The Affordable Care Act made healthcare coverage more accessible and affordable, but new federal policies aimed at curbing spending and tightening enrollment rules could reverse this progress. In a Commonwealth Fund report, health policy experts Jeanne Lambrew and Ellen Montz explain that gaps in health coverage are likely to widen in 2026 as recent changes make it harder for people to enroll in and retain coverage. They outline strategies to prevent coverage losses and close remaining gaps, including: extending continuous eligibility for people with low incomes, simplifying and aligning enrollment rules across insurance programs, and creating a single, nationwide eligibility system.

• California
  • The Department of Health Care Services launched the Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council which serves as the state’s Medicaid Advisory Council and brings together Medi-Cal members, caregivers, providers, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and county partners to shape the future of Medi-Cal policies, programs, and implementation. The Voices and Vision Council held its inaugural meeting alongside the established Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee, which serves as the state’s Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC), to launch a collaborative structure that brings together lived experience and system expertise to shape Medi-Cal policy. As a reminder, SHVS published an issue brief that offers recommendations for states drawing on insights from people with Medicaid experience who have served on existing Medicaid committees.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills to expand health services and resources for women. The legislation increases accessibility to alternative birth centers, commissions a statewide study on midwife education, expands perinatal and infant care services to rural communities, and creates stronger safety regulations for the ingredients and materials in products commonly used by women, including hair and menstrual products and prenatal vitamins.
• Massachusetts – Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order re-establishing the Governor’s Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy to improve opportunities for people with disabilities, their families, and advocates to provide input on policy and program development that will reduce barriers to state services.
• Michigan – The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services issued a bulletin to remind health insurers that plans in the individual and small group markets are required to continue to cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to consumers.
• Minnesota – The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that Medicaid providers who have not billed for services in more than a year will be disenrolled from the Medicaid program, as DHS tightens oversight.
• Montana
  • Joined by Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton and Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin, Governor Greg Gianforte announced the launch of the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Initiative Reentry Program, following CMS approval. The program provides a targeted set of Medicaid services to eligible individuals with behavioral health needs starting 30 days before their release from incarceration.
  • DPHHS is recruiting members for the new BAC as an opportunity for Medicaid enrollees, their families, and caregivers to provide direct feedback on the state’s Medicaid program. As a reminder, SHVS published template materials designed to support state agencies in recruiting members for the BAC. States can customize the content of the materials, which include a recruitment flyer, social media graphics, core messages, website copy, and newsletter copy.
• New York – Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled investments in six new partnerships between safety net hospitals and healthcare organizations under the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program, totaling over $2.6 billion in capital and operating dollars. These partnerships will help to improve the quality of care provided by these safety net hospitals and stabilize their operations for long-term sustainability to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to high quality care.
• North Carolina 
  • Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Department Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Dev Sangvai announced that more than $6.5 billion in medical debt has been relieved for more than 2.5 million residents over the past year, through North Carolina’s Medical Debt Relief Program. For more information about North Carolina’s comprehensive medical debt relief and reform incentive program see this SHVS state spotlight. SHVS also updated its expert perspective tracking state efforts to cancel medical debt and/or prohibit medical debt reporting.
  • NCDHHS announced the creation of the AdvaNCe Health Together Learning Community, a training and collaboration model that will help Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) prepare to meet certification standards in their goal to increase access to care across North Carolina. CCBHCs provide comprehensive mental health and substance-use care for children and adults, including outpatient primary care screening and monitoring to support the health of the whole person.
• North Dakota – North Dakota Health and Human Services hosted a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) listening session and shared themes from the responses they received to their survey collecting public input on the RHTP. SHVS continues to track state action to create a transformation plan and prepare to apply for the RHTP.
• Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) released the final health insurance rates for 2026 with an average weighted increase of 21.5% in the individual market. PID and Pennie, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, highlighted that new federal rules on enrollment and the scheduled expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits has resulted in significant price increases for consumers.
• Utah – The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that Dr. Jennifer Strohecker, who has served as Utah’s Medicaid director for the past four years, is stepping down to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Nathan Checketts, currently serving as DHHS deputy director for healthcare administration, will assume the role of interim Medicaid director effective November 1, 2025. A search for Dr. Strohecker’s replacement will begin this fall.
• CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OR, RI & WA – Governors in 15 states announced the launch of the Governors Public Health Alliance. The Alliance will serve as a coordinating hub for governors and their public health officials and a unified, cross-state liaison with the global health community. Participating states will share best practices, facilitate data exchange, and collaborate on emergency response, public health guidance, and technical issues such as vaccine policy.