Feeling grateful for Medicaid directors
We’re at the NAMD Conference in National Harbor, Md., this week.
We’re at the National Association of Medicaid Directors Conference in National Harbor, Md., this week and feeling grateful to spend time with so many heroes and champions of the Medicaid program. Medicaid Directors have a lot on their plates these days, and their passion for ensuring coverage and access for the 80 million is more palpable than ever. We’ll be off the week of Nov. 24 to celebrate with our families. Happy Thanksgiving!
H.R.1’s Change to Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Might be the Best News About the New Law
H.R.1 imposes devastating cuts to Medicaid and our nation’s health care ecosystem. There is a glimmer of hope, though. H.R.1 made significant increases and changes to low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) that can increase affordable housing development by 1.22 million more units over the next decade.
In the simplest terms, there will be more funding than ever before to develop low-income housing units starting in 2026. That’s due to H.R.1 permanently increasing the amount of tax credits that states can award to housing developments serving low-income households. The law also makes it easier for states to leverage federal tax credits when using private activity bonds to finance housing.
Connecting Medicaid enrollees who need affordable housing to these units won’t happen without intention. Taking advantage of this surge in housing development will require coordination and planning between state health and housing agencies.
Keep reading at The 80 Million.
ICYMI: 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.
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System announced its support of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ submission of Arizona’s application to the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he has signed a declaration enabling the state General Assembly to adopt legislation appropriating the funding necessary to create an emergency reserve that will facilitate the state response to millions of dollars in federal cuts toward health and human services. This includes cuts made through H.R.1, the impact of the federal government shutdown and future shutdowns, and any potential future federal reductions.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob announced the recommendations of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) working group, which convened earlier this year to address the rapid growth and sustainability challenges of Medicaid-funded ABA therapy.
Nebraska submitted an amendment to its Substance Use Disorder Program Section 1115 Demonstration seeking federal matching funds for services provided to individuals with serious mental illness or severe emotional disturbance who are short-term residents in facilities. The amendment also proposes adding medical respite care for adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and recovering from acute physical health conditions after discharge.
He vowed to “protect the unborn.” Now he’s blocking a bill to expand Medicaid for Wisconsin’s new moms. – ProPublica
A health center closure in New England town reveals toll of federal cuts on rural communities – The Associated Press
When the G.O.P. Medicaid cuts arrive, these hospitals will be hit hardest – The New York Times
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