State Spotlights | Sep 7, 2023

State Spotlight: Massachusetts’ Cutting-Edge Health Equity Initiatives

Manatt Health, MassHealth, and Health Equity Solutions

This state spotlight highlights the investments and efforts that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is making to promote health equity in and through the state’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), otherwise known as MassHealth. As of June 2023, MassHealth covered over 2.4 million people, including many low-income children and families, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults and children with severe and/or chronic physical and behavioral health needs. With the highest coverage rate in the nation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made great strides in ensuring access to healthcare for low-income residents and is now paving the way to reduce racial and ethnic disparities experienced by Medicaid and CHIP enrollees. As described in the state spotlight, MassHealth’s multi-pronged health equity strategy focuses on five cross-cutting areas: community engagement; social drivers of health; continuous enrollment; perinatal health; and provider and health plan incentives.


Expert Perspectives

November 22, 2024

Information Sharing Considerations for Implementing the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s Requirements for Justice-Involved Children and Youth

This expert perspective reviews the information sharing considerations for states in implementing the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s (CAA) requirements to provide targeted case management and screening and diagnostic services for children and youth who are incarcerated and enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. The expert perspective highlights key areas of CAA implementation that require information sharing, which states will need to consider as they work towards coming into full compliance.

November 15, 2024

CMS Releases Guidance on Optional Long-Term Use of Unwinding-Related Section 1902(e)(14) Waivers

On November 14, 2024, CMS released its second installment in its series of Medicaid and CHIP guidance intended to support state efforts to verify eligibility and conduct renewals in compliance with federal Medicaid and CHIP requirements. A new expert perspective summarizes the latest CMCS Informational Bulletin and accompanying slide deck which address the continued use of unwinding-related section 1902(e)(14) waivers beyond the previously established expiration date of June 30, 2025.