Member News

• Findhelp: No Wrong Door: How Policy, Technology & Partnerships Can Power a Connected Social Safety Net -- MedCity News published an article from Findhelp’s Carla Nelson highlighting a “no wrong door” approach to care. The approach envisions an integrated system of providers, resources and workflows that make it fast and efficient for any front-line provider to connect individuals to the health and social services they need
• CareSource: CareSource Launches Grant Challenges to Improve Health Care Access and Outcomes in Georgia and Wisconsin-- CareSource is accepting submissions for the CareSource Foundation Grant Challenge, offering grants to community-based organizations expanding or launching initiatives that address social determinants of health, maternal health, integrated health or enhance the quality of life for people who are aged, blind or disabled.
• AHA: AHA Report Finds Workplace and Community Violence Cost Hospitals More than $18 Billion Annually -- AHA released a comprehensive report that measures the substantial financial resources hospitals and health systems spend on preventing and responding to violence in their facilities and communities. The total financial cost in 2023 was estimated at $18.27 billion and include health care treatment for victims, security staffing for health care facilities, and violence prevention programs/ training, among other costs.

Administration Updates

• CMS: CMS is expanding access to vital care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities by approving Medicaid State Plan Amendments in several states. Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics in Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming are now authorized to provide Medicaid clinic services beyond the physical clinic site, including in homes, schools, and other appropriate community locations.
• USDA: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., signed three new food choice waivers to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, starting in 2026. In general, the waivers expand the list of products generally excluded from SNAP purchases in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah to include sugary foods and beverages, such as candy and soda.
• CMS: CMS rescinded the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Informational Bulletin that was issued on November 9, 2023, titled Guidance on Adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions to State Medicaid and CHIP Applications for Health Coverage.
• AHA: The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Democrats wrote a letter to Secretary Kennedy requesting information about the process by which “The MAHA Report: Make Our Children Healthy Again” was drafted, reviewed, published, and later amended in light of public reporting regarding the legitimacy of sources used and the alleged use of AI to draft the report.
• AHA: Farm lobbies wrote a letter to Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin to warn the administration that its “inaccurate” claims about possible health risks caused by pesticides could discourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• SAMHSA: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will no longer silo LGBTQ+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” through its 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• CMS: CMS is announced a Request for Information (RFI) on Well-being and Nutrition to seek public input on measures that assess overall health, happiness, and life satisfaction that could include aspects of emotional well-being, social connections, purpose, and fulfillment. The RFI also seeks public input on tools and measures that promote healthy eating habits, exercise, nutrition, or physical activity.

Legislative Updates

• The House passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2483) by a vote of 366-57. The bill would reauthorize the 2018 SUPPORT Act, which funds treatment and recovery programs for opioid abuse and expands access to addiction medicines. The bill is currently in the Senate for consideration.
• Senators Kennedy (R-LA) and Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act (S. 1924), which would add suicide prevention resources to school identification cards.
• Representatives Vindman (D-VA), Thompson (R-PA), and Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act (H.R. 3743), which would expand the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to include support for women with SUD and infants and children with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
• Representative Salinas (D-OR) and 17 cosponsors introduced the Farmers Feeding America Act (H.R. 3784), which would expanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ability to purchase food directly from producers to expand The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
• Representatives Ciscomani (R-AZ) and Stansbury (D-NM) introduced the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act (H.R. 3866), which would require the HHS Secretary to issue guidance on best practices for screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid and CHIP. Sens. Heinrich (D-NM) and Wicker (R-MS) introduced companion legislation (S. 2004) in the Senate.
• Representatives Hinson (R-IA) and Scholten (D-MI) introduced the RNs for Rural Health Act (H.R. 3878), which aims to ensure adequate coverage of annual wellness visits at rural health clinics under the Medicare program.
• Representative Bonamici (D-OR) and 29 cosponsors introduced the Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act (H.R. 3943), which would require institutions of higher education to provide notice to students receiving work-study assistance about potential eligibility for participation in SNAP.
• Senator Warnock (D-GA) and six cosponsors introduced the Advancing Student Services in Schools Today (ASSIST) Act (S. 2050), which would increase federal Medicaid funding for school-based mental health services and establish a grant program at HHS to hire and retain mental health professionals in schools, helping increase mental health services, resources, and accessibility.
• Senator Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the Postpartum Lifeline Act (S. 2085), which would require 12-month continuous, full benefit coverage for pregnant individuals under Medicaid and CHIP. Reps. Dingell (D-MI) and Pallone (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 4028) in the House.
• Senators Cassidy (R-LA) and Sanders (I-VT) and nine bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act (S. 2120), which would authorize appropriations for the Older Americans Act for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Top Three Reads for This Month

• Health Affairs: We Need Better Data to Measure the Value of Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits -- Widespread availability of supplemental benefits that are popular among beneficiaries is a major reason for the sharp increase in Medicare Advantage enrollment in recent years. Medicare Advantage plans typically offer reduced cost sharing and benefits not covered under traditional Medicare, such as vision, fitness, hearing, and dental, often for no additional premium. Yet little information is available to document the value of these benefits to beneficiaries or taxpayers, and the extent to which they impact health outcomes.
• The Wall Street Journal: What Medicaid Work Requirements Mean for Enrollees -- Policy analysts expect millions of people to lose coverage either because they won’t bother to comply with the new rules or because they aren’t able to keep up with the paperwork and other bureaucratic hurdles states will erect for proving eligibility. The requirements, if enacted, would lead to millions of low-income people losing their health insurance or being unable to sign up in the first place.
• Axios: Fast Food Consumption Decreased, CDC Data Shows -- Kids and teens consumed fewer calories from fast foods over the decade that ended in mid-2023, according to newly published CDC data.

Medicaid 1115 Waivers

• Iowa: Iowa submitted a request to amend the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan section 1115 demonstration to incorporate work requirements as a condition of maintaining eligibility for IHAWP beneficiary’s ages 19 to 64 who are not otherwise exempt. The federal comment period will be open until July 13, 2025.
• Florida: Florida submitted a request to implement a new section 1115 demonstration waiver that addresses workforce challenges within Medicaid through implementation of new workforce recruitment and retention programs that will increase access to necessary providers in medically underserved areas.
• Nebraska: CMS approved Nebraska’s request to extend its "Nebraska Substance Use Disorder Program Section 1115(a) Demonstration,” effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030.
• Texas: CMS approved Texas’s request to extend its “Healthy Texas Women” section 1115 demonstration, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030. It also approved the state’s request to add postpartum services move the demonstration from a fee-for-service delivery system to managed care.
• Minnesota: CMS approved Minnesota’s request to amend its “Minnesota Prepaid Medical Assistance Project Plus” demonstration which will allow Minnesota to extend Medicaid eligibility for former foster care youth (FFCY) under age 26.