State Health Updates

• Arizona – Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2677 into law, repealing the state’s 1864 abortion ban.
• California – Governor Gavin Newsom announced CalRx’s Naloxone Access Initiative’s new partner, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, which has secured FDA approval of an over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone nasal spray product. This new partnership allows the state to purchase CalRX-branded OTC naloxone for $24–almost half of the current market price. Qualifying organizations in the state, including first responders, universities and community organizations can access the state’s naloxone supply for free.
• Colorado – The Colorado Division of Insurance created new consumer resources to help people access mental healthcare using their insurance. The resources include videos to help people understand their mental health insurance benefits and how to find a mental health provider.
• Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont announced that a state pilot program has provided expert, at-home nurse and community health worker assistance to the families of more than 500 newborns since October 2023. Known as Family Bridge, the program aims to ease transition from hospital to home for the parents of newborn babies by having a nurse or community health worker visit their home following birth. Family Bridget is available to all families at no cost.
• Iowa – The state announced the launch of a new resource for caregivers and case managers who work with Medicaid members receiving LTSS. The Iowa HHS Portal provides support and resources to caregivers and case managers through personalized training modules and a community of peers. 
• Illinois – The Illinois Department of Insurance announced its second annual mental health parity ad campaign. The radio, digital and social media ads will run in several markets to help consumers better understand their rights related to health insurance coverage for mental health and substance-use disorders, under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
• Minnesota – The Department of Human Services announced that when post-pandemic Medicaid renewals are completed this spring, the state will restart asset limit checks for certain enrollees to make sure they are eligible for coverage. Many enrollees do not have asset limits, and the state will notify those who do.
• New Jersey – Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced the Department has awarded more than $3.6 million in contracts to develop recovery-oriented crisis diversion homes, which will provide care and services to individuals who have recently experienced a mental health crisis. The crisis diversion homes will serve as temporary transitional housing for 30 days, with the goal of linking individuals to the appropriate therapeutic supports and assisting with discharge to the appropriate community setting.
• New Mexico – The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance and the Health Care Authority published guidance for the Health Insurance Marketplace Affordability Program for plan year 2025. The program will expand out-of-pocket assistance to more New Mexicans and adopt policies to reduce premiums and improve retention for lower-income enrollees.
• North Dakota – North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) announced 21 recipients of the Children’s Behavioral Health Service Grants. The funding will support the implementation of community-based, youth and family driven and culturally responsive services and support for children, adolescents and young adults with behavioral health conditions and their families. HHS will award approximately $3.4 million through September 2025.
• Pennsylvania – The Shapiro administration announced five state Boards have adopted new policies making clear that conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ minors is harmful. The new policies notify licensees that all five Boards consider the use of conversion therapy to be unprofessional, harmful conduct that may subject any licensee engaging in it to administrative discipline.
• Washington – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange released a report on immigrant health coverage and the population newly eligible to purchase coverage through the Marketplace. The report also focuses on applicants under 139% of the federal poverty level who have not yet signed up for a qualified health plan and are income-eligible for the upcoming Washington Apple Health Expansion in July 2024.