All eyes on midterms
Now that the shutdown has ended (for now), the White House and GOP are looking to coalesce around health care.
The government is officially reopened after the longest shutdown in American history, but there are still plenty of issues up for debate: namely, the future of enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs) that will expire on Dec. 31 without Congressional action. Though Congressional Democrats continue to call for an extension of the existing PTCs and Senate Democrats secured a commitment to hold a vote on such a proposal in December, the White House and most Congressional Republicans remain wary. President Trump recently weighed in, recommending via a Truth Social post that Senate Republicans redirect funding directly to consumers. Without specific legislative proposals on the fate of the PTCs and the clock ticking between now and Dec. 31, heightened focus on health policies may dominate the remainder of the year in Congress (not to mention the question of government funding, which will expire again for most federal agencies on Jan. 30).
How States Can Incorporate Human-Centered Design in Medicaid Work Reporting Requirement Systems
Medicaid work reporting requirements are coming in 2027, and states have the next year to get their systems in order. It’s an uphill battle: They face major implementation challenges, especially in designing systems that are accessible and equitable for all users. A human-centered approach is essential: States should prioritize user experiences, flexible technology and diverse communication strategies — pairing digital tools with in-person support and community partnerships to reach vulnerable populations.
States must design systems that can easily adjust to policy changes and implement lessons learned while also integrating new, ongoing data sources that will reduce administrative burdens and prevent coverage losses.
Newly minted Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Deputy Administrator Dan Brillman, who prior to his government role was co-founder and CEO of health tech company Unite Us, said in 2021 that “when we talk about transforming the health care delivery ecosystem, we should stay core to our mission and vision. This can only be possible by providing the best technology and solutions that improve health across communities.”
Jamila McLean couldn’t agree more.
Keep reading at The 80 Million.
ICYMI: Protecting Noncitizens’ Data while Medicaid is in the Crosshairs
In July, news reports revealed that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had shared Medicaid data, including names and addresses of individuals enrolled in the program, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement — breaking from longstanding federal policy and privacy protections. Following a lawsuit by 20 states, the Trump administration is now subject to a court order suspending its ability to use or share Medicaid data for immigration purposes in those states.
Medicaid coverage for immigrants has been in the crosshairs of the administration since Day One. Now, the administration and Republicans in Congress are laser-focused on the phantom issue of health care for undocumented individuals during the government shutdown, which has stretched into its second month. Just last week, the administration accused a handful of states of improperly covering noncitizens, which states swiftly challenged. CMS will no doubt be closely examining immigrants’ coverage through Medicaid going forward, with more data audits and requests likely ahead.
Collectively, these actions raise uncertainty and concern among immigrants and their family members seeking care, potentially deterring people from seeking the health care for which they are eligible. They also raise concerns for states, who will need to consider how to ensure that Medicaid funds are used properly and respond to CMS inquiries while also protecting individuals’ information.
Keep reading at The 80 Million.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Health Services launched AZRx, an initiative that allows Arizonans to save money on their prescription drugs. Arizonans can sign up for a discount card through ArrayRx, the multistate public pharmacy collaborative that Arizona joined earlier this year through the governor’s executive order. The discount card is available at no cost to Arizona residents and helps Arizonans save up to 80% on their medications.
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte established the Governor’s Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health to oversee the state’s efforts to make health care more affordable and accessible to improve health outcomes in rural communities.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein called for an extra session of the North Carolina General Assembly for Nov. 17, 2025, to fund Medicaid. Stein previously sent a letter to the General Assembly laying out three options to reverse the cuts: a) fully funding North Carolina Medicaid at $319 million in recurring funds, b) partially funding North Carolina Medicaid at $190 million in recurring funds and delaying cuts until at least Jan. 1, 2026, or c) using non-recurring funds from the $500 million Medicaid Contingency Reserve to fill the funding gap.
NJ bill would limit Medicaid from cutting home nursing hours of patients with disabilities – NorthJersey.com
Advocates urge NM to add Medicaid coverage for FDA‑approved obesity drugs – KOAT
States scramble to avoid Medicaid shortfalls: Survey – Axios
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