As the country struggles to respond to and recover from the devastating fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the case for Medicaid expansion has never been stronger. The public health crisis has focused a spotlight on both the benefits of stable health coverage and the gaps in the nation’s system of coverage and care. This expert perspective reviews what Medicaid expansion would mean in the 12 states that have not yet expanded.

Updates from the states as of January 22, 2021.

Updates from the states as of January 15, 2021.

On November 25, 2020, the U.S. Departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Treasury released the proposed 2022 “Notice of Benefit & Payment Parameters” (NBPP), the annual rule governing core provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the operation of the marketplaces, standards for insurers, and the risk adjustment program. This expert perspective focuses on several provisions that have implications for state oversight of insurance markets and the state-based marketplaces. Comments on the proposed rule are due by December 30, 2020.

Updates from the states as of January 8, 2021.

In the waning days of 2020, Congress enacted a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package and government funding bill (H.R. 133). Included in the measure is the “No Surprises Act”, which contains new protections for consumers from surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers. The new law establishes, for the first time, comprehensive protections in the states without their own balance billing laws and for the nearly 135 million people in self-insured plans beyond the reach of state regulators. This expert perspective summarizes provisions that have particular implications for state regulators.

Faced with significant premium fluctuation and the risk of “bare counties”, many policy stakeholders have turned to the public option as a potential tool to promote stability and affordability in the individual insurance market. Since 2017, nearly a dozen states have considered or passed legislation to study or implement a state-based public option program. Additionally, the 2020 election and transition to a new federal administration marks a pivotal point for state policymakers with interest in fostering new coverage options. An incoming Biden Administration’s support for state innovation will create new state-based coverage opportunities, even as major federal legislation is unlikely under a divided Congress. This expert perspective provides a brief overview of selected states efforts to implement a public option and highlights what to expect in a federal policy environment.

As health inequities continue to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is concerted energy to address this topic across states. Oregon has had a longstanding focus on health equity and employed two foundational strategies that can serve as examples for other states seeking to further their health equity efforts. Oregon first developed a common language and defined what “health equity” meant in the state. The state also engaged community partners to ensure that the community voice was apparent in policy decisions on the state level. When combined, these strategies have helped Oregon develop a foundation to build and implement subsequent health equity efforts in the state.

Updates from the states as of December 18, 2020.

Updates from the states as of December 11, 2020.