Unstoppable. States take charge of public health.
Eight New England and mid-Atlantic states convened this week to discuss taking the reins on major public health matters rather than relying on federal agencies. Not a moment too soon.
Get out your tissues, whether for the tears shed over the stunning chaos at the CDC or to be ready for respiratory virus season. States are taking charge of vaccine policy and other public health priorities as the federal government continues to dismantle the nation’s public health infrastructure. ACIP, the CDC-administered committee that provides advice and guidance on effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases, has been stacked with new members that many fear are proponents of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s well-publicized vaccine skepticism. In the wake of CDC leadership turmoil this week, Senate health committee chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has called for CDC to indefinitely postpone the Sept. 18-19 ACIP meeting — adding to uncertainty as to whether the federal government will be able to issue guidance anytime soon.
Eroding the American Dream: The Roll-back of Health Coverage and Care for Lawfully Residing Immigrants
H.R.1 includes major policy and funding changes that scale back access to health coverage for many lawfully residing noncitizens beginning next year. These changes are estimated to leave 1.3 million more immigrants uninsured, undermining their access to healthcare. At the same time, the Trump administration has announced similar restrictions on noncitizen immigrants’ access to other federally-funded health and human service programs. These policy actions are aimed at noncitizen immigrants who “play by the rules” — they are in the country under a legal status — impeding their ability to work and putting their financial security and shot at the “American dream” at risk.
Immigrants in the United States have always faced barriers to health coverage, and as a result, they are less likely to be insured compared to U.S. citizens. Despite high rates of employment, noncitizen immigrants are more likely to work in low-wage jobs that don’t offer employer-sponsored health insurance. Medicaid has also long been a crucial coverage program for immigrant families, with many lawfully residing noncitizens eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for decades. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) significantly improved access to affordable healthcare for immigrants by extending Marketplace subsidies to lawfully present noncitizens, helping to further lower the uninsurance rate and improving access to care.
Keep reading at The 80 Million.
ICYMI: HHS’ PRWORA Notice – What it Means for Community Health Centers
On July 14, the Trump administration announced broad policy changes that will significantly restrict immigrant access to a variety of federal programs (including federal health, nutrition, and education programs), reversing settled policy that had been in place for over 25 years. In particular, several federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issued notices expanding the types of federal programs under their purview that will be considered “federal public benefits,” which are subject to eligibility restrictions based on immigration status pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
As a result of HHS’ policy reversal, which went into effect the day it was issued, PRWORA’s immigrant eligibility restrictions now apply to more than a dozen additional programs, including mental health and substance use disorder programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Title X family planning services, Head Start programs, and the Community Health Center Program.
HHS’ extension of “federal public benefit” status to the health center program arguably conflicts with the community-wide nature of the program (as outlined in statute), and we expect this issue to make its way through the courts in the coming months.
For the time being, because community health centers are non-profit entities, they will generally not be required under PRWORA to conduct immigration-status checks for their patients, although we expect the administration to attempt to revisit this policy in the near future.
Keep reading at The 80 Million.
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance announced that plan year 2026 health insurance initial rates have been submitted by carriers, with an increase on average of 15.9% in the individual market. Without the extension of the enhanced premium tax credits, New Jersey would lose more than half a billion dollars in direct federal support to consumers and the average person receiving tax credits would see their costs go up by 110%.
The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance approved 2026 rates for individual market plans, with an average increase of 35.7%. New Mexico’s Health Care Affordability Fund will cover the loss of the enhanced premium tax credits for households with income under 400% of the federal poverty level, providing up to $68 million in premium relief in 2026.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched the state’s first mobile opioid treatment program.
The Washington State Health Care Authority announced its intention to apply for Rural Health Transformation Program funding and is seeking input on its implementation strategy.
Idaho reduces reimbursement to Medicaid providers as state pushes to cut costs – Idaho Statesman
Trump administration can withhold Medicaid funding from Maine abortion providers, judge rules – Reuters
Leaning Into Advanced Technologies to Support State Implementation of New Federal Medicaid Requirements – Manatt Health
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