Sep, 27, 2024

State Health Updates

  • California 
    • Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that bans the inclusion of medical debt in consumer reports. The bill also prohibits using any medical debt listed on a credit report as a negative factor when making credit decisions, and gives individuals more room to address their medical bills before debt collection and reporting actions can take place. SHVS has updated our expert perspective tracking state efforts to exclude medical debt from credit reports and cancel medical debt.
    • Governor Newsom also signed into law a bipartisan legislative package to bolster California’s gun safety laws. The package includes new measures to safeguard victims of domestic violence by providing training and tools for child welfare caseworkers and law enforcement officers to determine whether perpetrators have access to guns as well as strengthening safe storage requirements. For more on how gun violence is a serious public health crisis, listen to my podcast episode A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence in America. 
  • Maine – The Department of Health and Human Services announced that beginning October 1 certain copays for the state’s Medicaid program will be reinstated. During the public health emergency, copays for certain services were suspended. A letter to members details the changes in copays. 
  • Michigan  
    • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with 10 agencies across the state to create Adult Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs). A $32 million investment to establish CSUs was included in the state’s fiscal year 2023 budget. Adult CSUs provide immediate crisis support to anyone in a behavioral health crisis for up to 72 hours. These units will also be equipped to manage and treat minor medical conditions so that individuals in a behavioral health crisis aren’t sent to the emergency room for basic medical care.
    • MDHHS announced it will be awarding $9.1 million to organizations to develop Healthy Community Zones in Chippewa and Saginaw counties and the City of Detroit. Healthy Community Zones aim to address racial disparities in health outcomes by supporting communities in implementing community-led initiatives in the focus areas of food security; built environments where people live, work, learn and play; healthy children and youth; and social cohesion. 
  • Minnesota – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released the final report for the Minnesota Study of Telehealth Expansion and Payment Parity. The report summarizes findings from a wide range of qualitative and quantitative studies conducted by MDH and its partners. A synthesis of study results concludes that, to date, telehealth has expanded access to healthcare without compromising healthcare quality or patient satisfaction. 
  • Mississippi – CMS approved a five-year extension of Mississippi’s “Healthier Mississippi” section 1115 demonstration. The demonstration covers individuals who are aged, blind, and disabled with income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for Medicare and are not eligible under the Medicaid state plan. 
  • Montana – The Department of Health and Human Services approved Montana’s application to extend its section 1332 state innovation waiver to operate the state reinsurance program for an additional five years through December 31, 2029.
  • Nebraska – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of the Nebraska Vital Statistics Birth Dashboard. The dashboard includes de-identified aggregate birth data between the years 2005 and 2023 for Nebraska resident births. The dashboard allows data to be collated across six domains, including characteristics of the birthing parent, the pregnancy and the birth.
  • Nevada – The Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP) released a draft Medicaid quality strategy for 2025 through 2027. The strategy outlines DHCFP’s goals for improving Nevada Medicaid and CHIP members’ health outcomes by December 31, 2027, such as increasing the use of preventive services and evidence-based practices; reducing opioid and prescription drug misuse; improving the health of birthing individuals and infants; and reducing or eliminating healthcare disparities. DHCFP is seeking public comments on the draft. 
  • New Jersey – The Murphy administration released a trio of reports assessing the quality and affordability of healthcare in New Jersey. Commissioned by the New Jersey Health Care Affordability, Responsibility and Transparency (HART) Program, the reports bring transparency to healthcare spending and the factors contributing to high costs and cost growth. 
  • New York
    • On the heels of the news that New York was awarded $10 billion in pass-through funds to support its expanded Essential Plan, CMS approved an amendment to its section 1332 waiver that extends cost-sharing subsidies to Marketplace enrollees up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
    • Governor Kathy Hochul announced awards amounting to nearly $90 million over five years to establish services that provide critical support to youth struggling with complex mental health issues. Administered by the Office of Mental Health, the critical time transition program will serve youth between the ages of 11 and 17 to help them utilize one-on-one support, provide stability for the child and their family, and help the child avoid extended stays in emergency departments or psychiatric emergency programs.
  • North Carolina – The Health Resources and Services Administration announced nearly $9 million to support healthcare services in rural North Carolina. The funding will launch new opioid treatment and recovery services in rural communities. 
  • Virginia – The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services announced the release of its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, which addresses the agency’s mission, vision, and values. The strategic plan includes performance highlights, agency status, and financial overview.
  • Wyoming – The Wyoming Department of Health is hosting the 2024 Wyoming Suicide Prevention Symposium and is inviting teachers, law enforcement representatives, clinicians, loss survivors, community members and other stakeholders to attend. The two-day event is free and will allow attendees to discuss current trends, the connection between substance-use and suicide, suicide prevention strategies for the workforce and current community efforts.