Citizen Portal News Nebraska

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1 week ago

Senators protect special‑needs long‑term care patients from managed‑care disruption After unanimous committee action, senators advanced LB 10‑91 to keep medically complex long‑term care patients (traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, ventilator patients) on a fee‑for‑service Medicaid track rather than switching them into managed care.

Nebraska senators have taken a bold step to protect specialized long-term care patients by keeping them on a fee-for-service Medicaid track, ensuring they receive the tailored care they desperately need.

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#NE #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #ContinuityOfCare

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

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2 weeks ago

Senate committee advances wide-ranging provider-integrity package after talks with providers A delete‑all amendment to Senate File 42‑22 that rewrites Medicaid program-integrity rules — adding due-process steps, limiting payment withholds and creating program-integrity study requirements — was adopted after provider testimony and floor amendments; the measure was laid over for further work.

A pivotal amendment to Senate File 42-22 is set to reshape Medicaid program integrity, ensuring that efforts to combat fraud don't compromise essential services for providers.

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#MN #FraudPrevention #HealthcareIntegrity #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #MinnesotaProviders

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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2 weeks ago

Alaska health leaders warn subsidy cliff and federal changes risk pushing people off coverage and raising costs Presenters told the Senate Health and Social Services Committee that the end of enhanced premium tax credits and forthcoming federal Medicaid changes are already producing steep premium increases, marketplace enrollment declines and higher uncompensated care, and they urged state planning to blunt the impact.

Alaska's health leaders are sounding the alarm as the end of enhanced premium tax credits could lead to skyrocketing insurance costs and thousands losing coverage—are you prepared for the impact?

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#AK #AlaskaHealthcare #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #HealthcareCosts

Citizen Portal News Arkansas

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2 weeks ago

Hospital association: Arkansas hospitals paid far less than neighboring states, survey to take 12 months The Arkansas Hospital Association told lawmakers Arkansas averages about $8,842.50 per patient versus much higher averages in neighboring states; the association will survey hospitals statewide and expects reporting in about a year to inform policy options.

Arkansas hospitals are struggling with a staggering financial gap, receiving about $8,842 per patient compared to neighboring states like Texas, where the average is over $17,000.

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#AR #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #EconomicImpact

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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3 weeks ago

Subcommittee recommends about $460 million increase for Alaska Department of Health; Medicaid drives most of the change House Finance subcommittee staff told lawmakers the Department of Health budget would increase about $460 million (12.1% over FY26) largely because of Medicaid federal receipt authority, and highlighted investments in eligibility systems and a $625,000 increment for private duty nursing intended to reduce Medicaid inpatient costs.

Alaska's Health Department budget is set to soar by $460 million, driven largely by Medicaid, with potential savings of $30 million a year by bringing private duty nurses into the mix!

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#AK #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #NursingSupport #HealthcareFunding #AlaskaHealth

Citizen Portal News Kentucky

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3 weeks ago

Neighbors proposes law to let hospital-affiliated groups draw $29M annually in federal Medicaid payments for physician services Rep. Amy Neighbors told the Medicaid Oversight Board HB 689 would authorize a state-directed payment program enabling qualifying hospital-affiliated physician groups to receive enhanced Medicaid payments (up to Medicare rates) starting Jan. 1, 2026, an initiative sponsors say would not use general fund dollars and is expected to leverage about $29 million per year in federal funds.

Rep. Amy Neighbors' new bill could unlock $29 million in federal Medicaid funds for Kentucky hospitals, aiming to enhance care in rural areas without tapping into state resources.

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#KY #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #RuralAccess #HealthcareFunding

Citizen Portal News Arizona

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3 weeks ago

Senate committee gives due-pass recommendation to HB 2177 to restore Medicaid payments at tribal facilities An Arizona Senate committee voted 6–0, with one not voting, to give House Bill 2177 a due-pass recommendation. The bill would direct the director to seek a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver to authorize payments for services at Indian Health Service and tribal 638 facilities reduced or eliminated after Sept. 2010; no public testimony was offered.

An Arizona Senate committee has unanimously advanced House Bill 2177, aimed at restoring vital Medicaid payments for American Indian and Alaska Native services that were cut after 2010.

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#AZ #IndigenousRights #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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4 weeks ago

Alaska Department of Health outlines FY27 budget, defends audit work and flags rural transformation risks The Department of Health presented a $4.52 billion FY27 governor's amended budget, highlighted Medicaid and eligibility-system investments, and defended responses to 18 FY24 audit findings while lawmakers pressed on sustainability of rural transformation funding.

The Alaska Department of Health's $4.52 billion budget proposal is facing scrutiny as it navigates 18 audit findings and the sustainability of rural health transformation funding.

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#AK #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #HealthInnovation #AlaskaHealth #RuralTransformation

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

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4 weeks ago

Committee ties on HF3439 conformity bill after heated debate; motion left on the table House File 3439, legislation to align Minnesota's Medicaid rules with the 2026 federal law, drew extensive testimony from NCSL, counties and advocacy groups; a roll-call on whether to recommend the bill tied 11-11 and the motion was left on the table for further work.

The Minnesota House is at a standstill over House File 3439, a contentious Medicaid bill that could reshape healthcare access and county finances—what's next for this heated debate?

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#MN #CivicAccountability #MinnesotaHealthcare #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #HealthPolicy

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

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4 weeks ago

NCSL expert: federal OB3 will require big system changes and could cause coverage churn without careful state planning Catherine Costanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures told a Minnesota House committee that the 2026 federal law (referred to in the hearing as OB3/HR1) shortens retroactive eligibility, requires more frequent redeterminations and adds work/community engagement rules for expansion enrollees; she urged stronger data connections, noted federal grants and a 90% match for system upgrades, and warned of implementation challenges and potential coverage losses.

Major changes to Medicaid eligibility are on the horizon, but without careful planning, states could face significant coverage losses.

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#MN #CommunityEngagement #MinnesotaHealthcare #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #FederalPolicy

Citizen Portal News Florida

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1 month ago

Florida's Senate just advanced a controversial bill that could reshape Medicaid and SNAP, stirring up fierce debates over work requirements and potential coverage losses.

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#FL #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #BehavioralHealthServices #SNAPImprovements

Citizen Portal News Nebraska

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1 month ago

Nebraska hearing on DHHS 1115 waiver draws broad opposition from hospitals and providers Department of Health and Human Services told the Health and Human Services Committee it will seek a Section 1115 waiver to eliminate retroactive Medicaid eligibility to the month of application; hospital leaders, clinics and patient advocates warned the change would shift costs to providers, worsen discharge planning and harm vulnerable patients.

Nebraska's push to eliminate Medicaid's retroactive eligibility could leave vulnerable patients with overwhelming debt and threaten rural healthcare access—hospital leaders are sounding the alarm!

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#NE #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #RuralHealthcare #PatientAccess

Citizen Portal News Washington

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1 month ago

Island Health leaders urge Committee to support critical-access designation for rural hospital Island Health testified in favor of SSB 5923, which would enable cost-based reimbursement if the hospital obtains federal critical access certification; witnesses described service losses and high Medicaid share and said current payments do not cover costs.

Island Health is fighting for critical access designation to secure funding and ensure essential healthcare services for over 45,000 patients on a rural island.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #RuralHealthcare #EmergencyCare

Citizen Portal News Washington

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1 month ago

Committee hears staff briefing on Medicaid post-acute network standards; hospitals and insurers urge standards to reduce discharge delays Staff explained SSB 5124 would require the Health Care Authority to adopt network adequacy standards for nursing homes and inpatient rehab facilities with compliance deadlines in 2028; hospital and health-system witnesses supported the measure, citing costly single-case agreements and delayed discharges.

Washington's Senate Bill 5124 could revolutionize post-acute care by setting vital standards for timely discharges from hospitals, tackling the costly delays that affect patient recovery.

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#WA #PatientDischarge #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #NetworkAdequacy

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Bartlett Hospital projects positive FY27 but warns of reimbursement uncertainty and service losses At a joint meeting with the assembly, Bartlett Hospital leaders outlined FY26 overruns tied to clinic expansion, projected a FY27 net income excluding expired federal demonstration money, and warned that hospice and home-care services are operating at monthly losses.

Bartlett Hospital faces financial challenges with expanding clinics and ongoing service losses, yet projects a positive net income for FY27 amid uncertainties in reimbursement.

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#JuneauCityandBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #HealthcareFinances #JuneauHospital

Citizen Portal News Kentucky

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1 month ago

House committee backs feasibility study for locally run Medicaid 'accountable community' pilot The House Standing Committee on Health Services unanimously approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, which asks for a feasibility study of a locally owned, public–private 'accountable community health care organization' pilot intended to reduce Medicaid spending through local accountability and prevention.

Kentucky is taking a bold step towards reshaping Medicaid with a new locally owned health care pilot that aims to cut costs and boost community accountability!

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#KY #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #CommunityHealth #LocalAccountability

Citizen Portal News Arizona

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1 month ago

Arizona's Senate has paved the way for a groundbreaking Medicaid program that could transform care for the severely mentally ill, potentially saving the state millions while providing essential support.

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#AZ #ArizonaMentalHealth #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform

Citizen Portal News Maryland

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1 month ago

Advocates urge study of Medicaid hospice room‑and‑board reimbursement to expand choices at end of life Proponents of SB611 told the committee that Medicaid’s exclusion of room‑and‑board payments for residential hospice houses prevents low‑income patients from accessing hospice facilities, and asked for a targeted study of federal options and state implementation models.

A new Senate Bill in Maryland aims to study Medicaid reimbursement for hospice house room-and-board, potentially transforming end-of-life care for low-income patients.

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#MD #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #MarylandHospice #EndOfLifeCare

Citizen Portal News Tennessee

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1 month ago

TennCare unveils pilot to help families transition off Medicaid as federal rules threaten hospital payments TennCare Director Steven Smith told the Finance Ways and Means Committee a 4‑year 'Pathway to Independence' pilot would provide up to 12 months of private insurance premium assistance (up to $2,000) for households leaving TennCare, while warning that pending federal guidance will require steep reductions in state‑directed hospital payments beginning in 2028.

TennCare is launching a bold new pilot program to support families transitioning off Medicaid, offering up to $2,000 in premium assistance while facing looming federal cuts to hospital payments.

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#TN #HealthInsurance #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #RuralAccess #TennesseeFamilies

Citizen Portal News Colorado

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1 month ago

Senate approves HCPF supplemental after heated debate over program growth and Medicaid cuts The Colorado Senate passed House Bill 11-55, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, after extended floor debate about the rapid growth of the "Cover All Coloradans" program, staffing increases and proposed Medicaid rate reductions.

The Colorado Senate's recent approval of a $21 million supplemental budget for health care raises urgent questions about Medicaid cuts and transparency in funding.

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#CO #ProgramTransparency #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform

Citizen Portal News South Dakota

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1 month ago

Committee tables bill to raise Medicaid reimbursement for federally qualified health centers House Bill 11 50, which would increase reimbursement rates for FQHCs that proponents say are currently paid only about 60% of service costs, was heard and subsequently tabled after budget office concerns about funding ongoing rate increases with one-time dollars.

Rural healthcare is at a crossroads as House Bill 11 50, aimed at addressing a critical Medicaid reimbursement gap, faces delays that could threaten access for over 126,000 patients in South Dakota.

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#SD #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #SouthDakotaHealthcare #CommunityServices

Citizen Portal News Washington

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1 month ago

Committee Hears Bill to Ban Prior Authorization for FDA-Approved HIV Antivirals The House Healthcare and Wellness Committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 6,183, which would require health plans—including those for public and school employees—to cover FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management beginning Jan. 1, 2027; the prime sponsor framed it as part of efforts to end HIV in Washington.

A groundbreaking bill aims to eliminate barriers to life-saving HIV antiviral treatments, ensuring timely access for all starting in 2027.

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#WA #HealthcareAccess #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform

Citizen Portal News Connecticut

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1 month ago

Advocates urge Connecticut to raise Husky C asset limit, simplify MedConnect access and clarify ABLE rules Council on Developmental Services members told the Human Services Committee that Connecticut’s Husky C Medicaid asset limit ($1,600 individual, $2,400 couple as stated in testimony) is the lowest in the nation and urged tying it to the federal SSI level, improving MedConnect enrollment (add a line to the WE‑1 form) and clarifying ABLE-account successor and estate rules enacted under Public Act 23‑137.

Connecticut's advocates are pushing for critical changes to Husky C Medicaid and MedConnect access, aiming to simplify support for adults with disabilities in the state.

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#CT #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #DisabilitySupport

Citizen Portal News Nebraska

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1 month ago

Committee hears bill to return small group of special‑needs long‑term care clients to fee‑for‑service Sen. Elliot Bostar and providers urged the Health and Human Services Committee to advance LB1091, which would remove skilled nursing and special‑needs long‑term care services for a narrow group of medically complex Medicaid beneficiaries from Heritage Health managed care and return those services to fee‑for‑service to preserve continuity of care.

A new bill aims to shift specialized long-term care for a small group of complex Medicaid beneficiaries back to fee-for-service, sparking a heated debate over care coordination in Nebraska.

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#NE #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #LongTermCare

Citizen Portal News Nebraska

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1 month ago

Hospice and nursing‑home advocates press committee to stop a 5% Medicaid reduction for hospice residents Proponents of LB944 told senators that when Medicaid nursing‑home residents elect hospice the current payment mechanics reduce the facility’s room‑and‑board payment by 5% and shift billing complexity to hospice agencies; DHHS opposed the bill, citing federal rules and audit concerns that require payment to hospice and could put federal funding at risk.

A new bill in Nebraska could change the way Medicaid pays for nursing-home residents in hospice, potentially easing financial burdens on rural facilities—will it succeed against federal opposition?

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#NE #RuralCare #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform

Resist47 News

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1 month ago

Why Medicaid has drifted from its mission — and how to fix It via The Hill News — The Trump administration is intensifying oversight of Medicaid spending to curb fraud, waste and abuse, and policymakers should address Medicaid's "mission creep" into housing by increasing transparency and shifting Medicaid financing to per-capita allotments.

Medicaid's expansion into housing raises costs and blurs its health mission; reforms like per-capita caps and greater transparency could restore focus and eff...

resist47.news — news & tools for the resistance.

#resist47 #MedicaidReform #HealthcareSpending #GovernmentOversight #PerCapitaAllotments

Citizen Portal News North Dakota

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1 month ago

Committee hears dental workforce and Medicaid dental access briefings; agencies propose prior‑authorization changes Legislative staff and the Medicaid dental administrator presented a dental workforce feasibility memo and Medicaid dental utilization data, identifying a low dentist‑per‑capita rate, dental shortage designations, and recent policy changes to reduce prior‑authorization burdens and expand certain benefits.

North Dakota is grappling with a dental access crisis, with a significant shortage of dentists and Medicaid recipients receiving care at rates far below the national average.

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#ND #NorthDakotaDentalAccess #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #WorkforceDevelopment

Citizen Portal News Colorado

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1 month ago

Senate debates Medicaid and "Cover All Coloradans" program; amendments fail and supplemental is adopted Senators debated House Bill 11-55 — a supplemental for Health Care Policy and Financing — for hours over provider-rate cuts, the Cover All Coloradans entitlement and federal match assumptions; multiple floor amendments to reallocate funds failed and the bill was adopted.

The Colorado Senate faced intense debate over House Bill 11-55, weighing the controversial Cover All Coloradans program against crucial provider-rate cuts that could impact healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

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#CO #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #MaternalHealth

Citizen Portal News New Jersey

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1 month ago

Dr. Steven Cha's nomination to lead New Jersey's Department of Human Services could reshape Medicaid and group-home oversight, as he outlines urgent reforms to prevent coverage losses for thousands.

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#NJ #CitizenPortal #MedicaidReform #ProgramIntegrity #NewJerseyHumanServices

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

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1 month ago

Senate hearing warns HR 1 and federal actions threaten Minnesota health and human services funding State budget officials, providers and community groups told a Senate policy committee that HR 1 and recent federal actions could cut billions in federal aid, strain Medicaid and SNAP, and force state and local leaders to decide how to fill gaps.

Minnesota's health and human services could face a staggering $1.6 billion loss in federal funding due to the new HR 1 law, putting vital care at risk for millions.

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#MN #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #MedicaidReform #MinnesotaHealthServices #CommunitySupport