Health Policy Rollup: State Action We’re Watching in February 2026

Key Takeaways

• Florida's SB 1756, known as the Medical Freedom Act, advanced out of committee and would prohibit mandatory vaccinations while establishing conscience protections as an exemption from Florida vaccine requirements law for school entry.
• The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Louisiana 340B pharmacy law, which prevents drug manufacturers from denying hospitals the same discounts for medications dispensed at community pharmacies.
• Indiana plans to release an RFP in August for its Medicaid managed care programs, covering an additional 1.4 million enrollees with an estimated value of $68 billion.
• Mississippi's CON reform bill HB 3 was signed into law, raising capital expenditure thresholds for certificate of need requirements while narrowing exemptions for the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
• Oklahoma's governor issued an executive order to strengthen oversight of Medicaid Advantage plans, requiring 14-day prompt payment standards and prohibiting high-pressure sales tactics.

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State Legislative Healthcare Policy Updates

Florida Medical Freedom Act Advances Through Committee

On January 29th, the Senate Committee on Health Policy voted 6-4 to advance SB 1756 out of committee. The now-amended measure, known as the Medical Freedom Act, prohibits the State Health Officer from ordering a vaccination for any resident. It also establishes conscience protections as an exemption pathway from school-entry vaccine requirements. The bill also requires providers to provide informational materials and obtain signed informed consent before administering vaccines to minors, among other provisions. The bill remains in the Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Mississippi CON Reform Bill Signed Into Law

On February 4th, Governor Tate Reeves (R) signed into law the CON reform bill HB 3. Unlike its last iteration, HB 3 no longer grants a CON application to build a behavioral health hospital in Jackson. As enacted, the bill increases capital expenditure thresholds required for a CON requirement and narrows CON exemptions for the University of Mississippi Medical Center, requiring the university to get state approval before opening educational facilities outside a designated area within Jackson.

Federal Court Rulings and Regulatory Changes

On February 9th, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s ruling to uphold Louisiana’s enacted 340B contract pharmacy law. Like many other states, Louisiana’s law prohibits drug companies from denying hospitals the same 340B discounts for drugs dispensed at community pharmacies that would have otherwise been provided through their in-hospital pharmacies. The court relied on precedent from similar cases where state governments regulate pharmacies and the distribution of drugs to them.

Medicaid Program Developments Across States

Indiana Medicaid Managed Care RFP Worth $68 Billion

In late January, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced its intent to release a request for proposals (RFP) this upcoming August for the state’s four Medicaid managed care programs. Notably, the RFP for the Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect, and Pathways for Aging is expected to provide coverage to an additional 1.4 million enrollees and have an estimated procurement value of $68 billion.

Oklahoma Enhances Medicaid Advantage Plan Oversight

In January, Governor Kevin Stitt (R) issued an executive order that intends to enhance oversight of how Medicaid Advantage (MA) plans are operated and advertised in the state with the intent to decrease the burden on providers and consumers. Crucially, the EO prohibits MA plans from offering any non-CMS-approved supplemental benefits to influence beneficiary plan selections and from employing “high-pressure” tactics or misleading representations in their offerings. Additionally, the EO requires MA plans to adhere to a 14-day prompt payment standard to providers with clean claims and no improper denials, maintain sufficient provider networks, follow CMS or Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) standards, and submit data on payments, networks, and denials to OID annually.

Track Health Care Policy

The ever-evolving state health policy landscape will continue to influence how health care organizations make business decisions. MultiState’s team pulls from decades of expertise to help you effectively track and engage. MultiState’s team understands the issues, knows the key players and organizations, and we harness that expertise to help our clients effectively navigate and engage on their policy priorities. We offer customized strategic solutions to help you develop and execute a proactive multistate agenda focused on your company’s goals. Learn more about our Health Care Policy Practice.