Medicaid

Republican Majorities Block Efforts to Expand Medicaid in Georgia and Kansas

ATLANTA (AP) — Plans to expand Medicaid coverage to over half a million more people in Georgia and Kansas were... Read More

ATLANTA (AP) — Plans to expand Medicaid coverage to over half a million more people in Georgia and Kansas were defeated by Republican-led committees in the states' legislatures Thursday. There are currently only 10 states that don’t cover people with incomes up... Read More

Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Available to Wisconsin Medicaid Patients

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin will have access to the first over-the-counter birth control pill starting Tuesday, allowing them... Read More

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin will have access to the first over-the-counter birth control pill starting Tuesday, allowing them to easily receive contraceptive medication with no out-of-pocket costs or doctor's prescription, Gov. Tony Evers announced. Evers, a Democrat, promised in... Read More

Mississippi to Allow Quicker Medicaid Coverage During Pregnancy to Try to Help Women and Babies

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A new Mississippi law will allow earlier Medicaid coverage for pregnant women in an effort to... Read More

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A new Mississippi law will allow earlier Medicaid coverage for pregnant women in an effort to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies in a poor state with the nation’s worst rate of infant mortality. The “presumptive... Read More

Biden Administration Slow to Act as Millions Booted Off Medicaid, Advocates Say

WASHINGTON (AP) — Up to 30 million of the poorest Americans could be purged from the Medicaid program, many the... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Up to 30 million of the poorest Americans could be purged from the Medicaid program, many the result of error-ridden state reviews that poverty experts say the Biden administration is not doing enough to stop. The projections... Read More

2023-10-16 20:26:30
by Dan McCue
HHS, Pfizer, Reach Agreement to Ensure Access to Paxlovid

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it has reached an agreement with Pfizer... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it has reached an agreement with Pfizer to ensure continued patient access to the antiviral Paxlovid as it prepares to transition the COVID treatment to the commercial... Read More

Biden Launches New Push to Limit Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday rolled out a new set of initiatives to reduce health care costs:... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday rolled out a new set of initiatives to reduce health care costs: a crackdown on scam insurance plans, new guidance to prevent surprise medical bills and an effort to reduce medical debt... Read More

2023-05-25 15:32:28
by Dan McCue
Administration Floats New Rules for Drug Cost Transparency

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has proposed using new tools to monitor costs associated with prescription drugs so it can... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has proposed using new tools to monitor costs associated with prescription drugs so it can hold pharma manufacturers accountable for what Medicaid programs pay for them. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was made through... Read More

2023-04-26 14:45:13
by Kate Michael
Medicaid Work Requirements Making Headway at the State Level

WASHINGTON — Every so often the idea of imposing work requirements in Medicaid comes through Congress. Well, the concept is... Read More

WASHINGTON — Every so often the idea of imposing work requirements in Medicaid comes through Congress. Well, the concept is making headway again, and this time at the state level.  Currently, Arkansas is the only state to have implemented work... Read More

2023-04-04 13:43:09
by Dan McCue
Bill Aims to Expand Access to Emergency Med Care

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan bill in the House aims to permanently expand access to emergency medical care for Medicare, Tricare... Read More

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan bill in the House aims to permanently expand access to emergency medical care for Medicare, Tricare and Medicaid beneficiaries.  Introduced by Reps. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, the Emergency Care Improvement Act would head... Read More

2023-03-28 20:04:20
by Dan McCue
Oklahomans Get Extended Pregnancy Coverage Under Medicaid

WASHINGTON — Women in Oklahoma are now the beneficiaries of a full 12 months of comprehensive coverage after pregnancy under... Read More

WASHINGTON — Women in Oklahoma are now the beneficiaries of a full 12 months of comprehensive coverage after pregnancy under a change in policy announced this past week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Oklahoma is the 30th... Read More

NC Approves Medicaid Expansion, Reversing Long Opposition

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Medicaid expansion deal in North Carolina received final legislative approval on Thursday, ending a decade of debate... Read More

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Medicaid expansion deal in North Carolina received final legislative approval on Thursday, ending a decade of debate over whether the closely politically divided state should accept the federal government's coverage for hundreds of thousands of low-income adults.... Read More

2023-03-06 20:49:18
by TWN Staff
HHS Unveils Key Dates for Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

WASHINGTON — When the Inflation Reduction Act became law last year, it empowered the Health and Human Services secretary, for... Read More

WASHINGTON — When the Inflation Reduction Act became law last year, it empowered the Health and Human Services secretary, for the first time ever, to begin negotiating certain prescription drug prices with drug manufacturers. The prices would go into effect... Read More

2022-11-09 21:59:58
by TWN Staff
HHS Finalizes Physician Payment Rule Strengthening Access

WASHINGTON — A proposed physician fee schedule for 2023 published this past week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid... Read More

WASHINGTON — A proposed physician fee schedule for 2023 published this past week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aims to increase access to behavioral health care, cancer screening and dental care. The Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee... Read More

2022-10-27 13:41:50
by Kate Michael
KFF Details COVID’s Effect on State Medicaid in Latest Report

WASHINGTON — COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the finances, ongoing operations and priorities of state Medicaid programs, according... Read More

WASHINGTON — COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the finances, ongoing operations and priorities of state Medicaid programs, according to a new report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Responses from the survey, which the nonprofit has conducted annually... Read More

2022-09-28 19:25:52
by Dan McCue
Oregon Receives First-in-Nation Medicaid Funding for Food, Housing and Nutrition

HERMISTON, Ore. — Oregon on Wednesday became the first state in the nation to receive an influx of significant new... Read More

HERMISTON, Ore. — Oregon on Wednesday became the first state in the nation to receive an influx of significant new federal funding to pilot changes to the state’s Medicaid program. Gov. Kate Brown and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services... Read More

2022-06-15 22:59:46
by Dan McCue
Justices Rule Feds Exceeded Authority With Medicare Reimbursement Cuts

WASHINGTON — In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled federal regulators improperly cut drug reimbursement payments to... Read More

WASHINGTON — In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled federal regulators improperly cut drug reimbursement payments to hospitals in low-income communities beginning in 2018, a move that cost hospitals and clinics billions of dollars. The ruling in... Read More

2022-06-06 16:01:49
by Dan McCue
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Florida Medicaid in Settlement Dispute

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 on Monday in favor of Florida's Medicaid program in a dispute over... Read More

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 on Monday in favor of Florida's Medicaid program in a dispute over how much money the state can take from an accident victim's private settlement to recover the costs of their care.... Read More

2022-05-18 16:07:54
by Alexa Hornbeck
HRSA Prepares Providers for End of Telehealth Flexibilities During COVID-19 PHE

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services extended the COVID-19 public health emergency this week beyond the July... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services extended the COVID-19 public health emergency this week beyond the July 15 expiration to October. The eventual expiration of the declaration will lead to changes in certain flexibilities granted to Medicare... Read More

2022-04-13 15:04:51
by Alexa Hornbeck
Millions Could Lose Medicaid Coverage Following End of PHE

WASHINGTON — The federal COVID-19 public health emergency, first declared Jan. 27, 2020,  was set to expire on April 16.... Read More

WASHINGTON — The federal COVID-19 public health emergency, first declared Jan. 27, 2020,  was set to expire on April 16. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Wednesday extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for 90 days. A number... Read More

2021-11-17 15:53:16
by Reece Nations
Obstetricians Call for Shortening ‘Discriminatory’ Postpartum Sterilization Waiting Period

WASHINGTON — Members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s Health Policy and Advocacy Committee are now calling for lawmakers to... Read More

WASHINGTON — Members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s Health Policy and Advocacy Committee are now calling for lawmakers to revise current Medicaid policy dictating patients who desire postpartum sterilization wait 30 days. The pregnancy experts published their contentions to... Read More

2021-09-23 14:39:15
by Reece Nations
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service to Distribute Federal Funding to Rural Hospitals

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is disbursing an initial amount of $2 million to four health care entities... Read More

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is disbursing an initial amount of $2 million to four health care entities in four states to bolster access to their services in underserved communities. Funds will be distributed to participating hospitals in... Read More

2021-09-09 15:35:02
by Dan McCue
Ohio to Appeal White House Voiding of State’s Medicaid Work Rule

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed an appeal of the Biden administration’s withdrawal of the state... Read More

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed an appeal of the Biden administration’s withdrawal of the state Medicaid work requirement previously approved by the Trump White House. “Removing a provision that says a healthy, able-bodied individual should... Read More

2021-06-02 22:23:08
by TWN Staff
Murray, Brown Urge Colleagues to Expand Primary Care Access for Women And Children

WASHINGTON - Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, are urging their colleagues to pass the Ensuring Access to Primary... Read More

WASHINGTON - Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, are urging their colleagues to pass the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act. This legislation is intended to expand access to primary care but it languished in... Read More

2021-02-17 21:12:04
by Dan McCue
Bennet, Kaine Urge Colleagues to Support Medicare-X Choice Act to Achieve Universal Health Care

DENVER, Colo. - Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., on Wednesday reintroduced their Medicare-X Choice Act by urging... Read More

DENVER, Colo. - Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., on Wednesday reintroduced their Medicare-X Choice Act by urging their colleagues to embrace it as a way of expanding both the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.  During a late... Read More

2021-02-11 16:03:58
by Sean Trambley
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly Announces Medicaid Expansion Bill Funded By Medical Marijuana

TOPEKA, Kan. – This week, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced legislation to expand Medicaid, known as KanCare, and provide health... Read More

TOPEKA, Kan. – This week, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced legislation to expand Medicaid, known as KanCare, and provide health insurance for 165,000 Kansans. The legislation also establishes a regulatory framework to make Kansas the 48th state to legalize medical... Read More

2020-11-12 21:20:46
by Sean Trambley
Gov. Northam Announces $25 Million in CARES Act Funding for Medicaid Day Support Providers

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Ralph Northam announced Virginia will allocate $25 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic... Read More

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Ralph Northam announced Virginia will allocate $25 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to fund monthly retainer payments for day support programs that provide services for Virginians with developmental disabilities.  These... Read More

2020-07-30 17:57:00
by Dan McCue
Cognitive Testing, Politics, and the Very Real Issue of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

WASHINGTON - For weeks it had been the stuff of living room banter and fodder for self-quarantining late night comedians.... Read More

WASHINGTON - For weeks it had been the stuff of living room banter and fodder for self-quarantining late night comedians. Suddenly, apparently on a whim, the president who once described himself as a "very stable genius," was talking about how... Read More

Medical Groups Slam Trump Medicaid Rule

WASHINGTON — Hospitals, governors and medical professionals have gathered in opposition to a complex Trump administration Medicaid proposal that opponents... Read More

WASHINGTON — Hospitals, governors and medical professionals have gathered in opposition to a complex Trump administration Medicaid proposal that opponents fear would slash federal health care contributions and add administrative costs. More than 4,200 organizations or individuals have commented on... Read More

2020-02-07 16:55:49
by Dan McCue
Governors Warn New Regs Could Lead to Deep Medicaid Cuts

WASHINGTON — The National Governors Association is warning that a newly proposed regulation by the Trump administration could lead to... Read More

WASHINGTON — The National Governors Association is warning that a newly proposed regulation by the Trump administration could lead to dramatic cuts in Medicaid and deny health care to millions of low-income Americans. In a bipartisan letter signed by Govs.... Read More

2020-01-30 16:46:35
by Dan McCue
Trump Administration to Allow Medicaid Block Grants

WASHINGTON - States will now have the ability to convert part of their Medicaid funding into a block grant under... Read More

WASHINGTON - States will now have the ability to convert part of their Medicaid funding into a block grant under a new program announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday. According to Seema Verma, administrator of... Read More

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