Webinars | May 7, 2020

Health Equity and COVID-19: Tracking and Taking Action to Address Disparities

Health Equity Solutions and SHADAC

On Thursday, May 7, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar in partnership with technical experts from Health Equity Solutions and SHADAC. As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, it has become increasingly clear that vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted. Unsurprisingly, these disparately affected groups are the same ones that have long experienced stark health disparities, such as communities of color, low income populations, and those that reside in congregate living facilities (nursing homes, jails, shelters, etc.).

The webinar reported on how states are tracking the disproportionate impact of the disease on vulnerable populations and provided a framework for states to examine their COVID-19 response efforts to yield better outcomes for such populations. During the webinar, presenters shared insights from recent SHVS publications States’ Reporting of COVID-19 Health Equity Data and Five Key Questions State Health Officials Can Ask Right Now to Advance Health Equity During COVID-19 Response Efforts



Expert Perspectives

January 17, 2025

Release of Updated CMS Guidance on Continuous Eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP Children and Youth

On January 15, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released updated State Health Official letter and Frequently Asked Questions guidance, replacing a previously issued SHO letter and FAQs on the requirement in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 that states provide 12 months of continuous eligibility for children and youth under the age of 19 in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, effective as of January 1, 2024.

January 7, 2025

Release of New E&E Guidance Related to Renewal Forms and Medicaid/Separate CHIP Transitions

Following the November release of guidance to support states’ efforts to verify eligibility and conduct renewals in compliance with federal Medicaid and CHIP requirements, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued on December 20 two additional Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Informational Bulletins (CIBs). This expert perspective summarizes the requirements outlined in the CIBs.