In this week’s update: CMS clarifies Medicaid medical frailty exclusion, Idaho Supreme Court approves redrafted abortion ballot initiative language, Louisiana presents oral arguments on reinstating in-person mifepristone dispensing to the Fifth Circuit, Michigan awards $25 million for health technology, telehealth, and remote patient monitoring, Texas Health and Human Services Commission requests $6 billion for Medicaid and health services, Texas surrogate requests Supreme Court appeal in ongoing abortion and medical rights case, Vermont state agencies award $11.7 million for the rural healthcare workforce and long-term care, Washington Governor Ferguson issues executive order to respond to H.R. 1 Medicaid changes, and West Virginia Governor Morrisey announces $4.8 million for the rural healthcare workforce and preventative care.

In this week’s update: 22 states sue over block on Medicaid and CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care, California legislature enrolls several bills regulating AI in healthcare, California General Assembly enrolls bill increasing Medi-Cal pharmacist reimbursement, Colorado federal judge dismisses challenge to 340B contract pharmacy protection law, Hawaii Governor Green announces $58 million for rural workforce development and EMS, Iowa gubernatorial candidate Sand announces affordability agenda with PDAB and Medicaid changes, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration releases Medicaid managed care RFP, Indiana receives $120 million for maternal health, primary care, and the rural health workforce, Louisiana managed care organization covering 290,000 beneficiaries exits Medicaid, New York Governor Hochul announces $76 million in awards for rural coordinated care, Oklahoma SoonerCare section 1115 waiver receives CMS approval for renewal through 2031, Tennessee Department of Health announces initial recipients of RHTP funding, and Texas federal judge pauses challenge to mifepristone access amid FDA review.

In this week’s update: Arkansas Governor Huckabee Sanders announces $149.3 million in RHTP awards, Alabama Governor Ivey announces $144 million in rural health grant awards, Alaska projects receive $160 million to support technology, coordinated care, and healthcare access, Arizona MCOs did not comply with mental health and substance use disorder parity analysis, California Senate enrolls bill to bring GLP-1s into state drug-purchasing program, Connecticut Attorney General Tong urges insurance department to reject rate increase requests, Georgia rural hospitals receive $93.3 million for telehealth, robotic surgery, and healthcare access, Idaho abortion initiative group sues over misleading ballot language, Idaho U.S. District Judge narrows application of ruling against abortion ban, Maine Department of Health and Human Services proposes Medicaid program integrity rules, Ohio Governor DeWine announces $3.15 million in awards for rural pharmacy initiatives, Virginia Governor Spanberger issues executive order to prevent loss of Medicaid and SNAP coverage, and Virginia rural health providers receive $122 million to expand healthcare access, workforce, and innovation.

In this week’s update: CMS issues final rule banning federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender affirming care, Arkansas Secretary of Human Services is confident CMS will grant a two-year extension of ARHOME, Colorado Department of Health releases RFI on Medicaid medical frailty exemptions, Delaware Hospital Cost Review Board Releases draft guidance for 2027 annual reporting requirements, Idaho Attorney General Labrador appeals ruling against abortion ban, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare releases RFI on FWA prevention, Maryland Department of Health releases RFI on expanding Medicaid Food is Medicine initiative, Nebraska SUD section 1115 demonstration receives CMS approval, New Jersey Governor Sherrill enacts shield law for reproductive and transgender healthcare, South Dakota Governor Rhoden awards $90 million for rural health transformation technology and data grants, and New Mexico rural health transformation program stakeholder advisory committee opens applications.

In this week’s update: President Trump issues executive order on childhood vaccine recommendations, Delaware legislators voice concerns over creation of new surgeon general position, Florida Governor DeSantis announces $188 million in RHTP awards, Illinois’ 340B law challenged by drug manufacturers, Illinois Governor Pritzker enacts private equity oversight and drug distribution laws, Indiana FSSA prepares HIP 3.0 section 1115 demonstration application, Indiana Medicaid fraud control unit named MFCU of the year by HHS, Maryland advocates push state candidates to support upcoming UPL bill, Massachusetts Governor Healey enacts statewide licensing system for home care agencies, Massachusetts Governor Healey signs law expanding abortion protections, South Dakota federal judge dismisses trio of lawsuits challenging 340B law, and Wyoming’s rural health panel approves $205 million in RHTP awards.

In this week’s update: CMS releases ABA therapy oversight toolkit, CMS issues update on Medicaid Fraud War Room, HRSA releases revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, Arizona HCCCS issues long-term care RFP, Arkansas Department of Human Services asks to continue ARHOME through 2028, Idaho legislators form the Idaho Health Insurers Working Group, Illinois Governor Pritzker enacts 340B legislation, Indiana FSSA expands Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 treatments under BALANCE model, Massachusetts Governor Healey announces health care affordability recommendations, Maine DHHS releases $30 million in RHTP funding for rural hospital resiliency, Maine federal judge dismisses challenge to 340B law, New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham announces $50 million in rural health care rewards, Texas Attorney General Paxton investigates AAP over alleged vaccine promotion for financial gain, and Virginia’s SUD and foster youth Medicaid eligibility section 1115 demonstration renewed.

In this week’s update: Federal judge temporarily blocks school mental health funding cuts, Arizona releases draft five-year section 1115 waiver renewal, Arkansas Board of Pharmacy votes to support settlements in PBM regulation lawsuits, CMS rejects Arkansas’ request to renew Medicaid expansion section 1115 waiver, Colorado PDAB votes to permit state to appeal injunction against UPL for Enbrel, Georgia Department of Community Health defines medical frailty exemptions and excludes HIV diagnoses, Idaho opts for three-month lookback period for Medicaid work requirements, Indiana Health Coverage Programs to implement HCBS waiver provider moratorium, New York federal judge exempts catholic ministries from medical aid in dying law, North Dakota Health and Human Services releases $50.5 million in RHTP funding, North Dakota federal judge denies request to block enforcement of ruling against 340B law, and Virginia federal judge finds 2023 FDA review of abortion restrictions unlawful.

In this week’s update: CMS issues proposed rules on Medicaid provider tax limits and enhanced reporting requirements, HHS defers over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, Arkansas Attorney General sues drug manufacturers alleging 340B contract pharmacy law violations, Georgia Department of Community Health releases claims processing and financial management RFP, Massachusetts Division of Insurance approves double-digit health insurance premium increases, Michigan Governor signs several healthcare bills into law.

In this week’s update: Idaho’s abortion ballot initiative qualifies for November general election ballot, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announces $34 million in RHTP funding opportunities, Mississippi Department of Health approves revisions to State Health Plan and CON Review Manual, Missouri Governor enacts comprehensive healthcare reform bill, New York State Department of Health seeks five year extension of Medicaid redesign team demonstration, South Dakota U.S. District Judge temporarily blocks abortion pill advertising ban, West Virginia Governor releases $25 million in RHTP funding for preventative health programs.

In this week’s update: 15 states sue Department of Education to block school mental health funding cuts, California Governor Newsom enacts Medi-Cal fair share bill, federal judge issues preliminary injunction on Colorado PDAB’s UPL for Enbrel, Idaho abortion ballot initiative receives 108,000 signatures, Massachusetts Governor Healy signs $63.4 billion budget with HIV PrEP coverage and dental service benefit cap, Missouri releases RFP to provide statewide Medicaid managed care services, North Carolina Governor Stein signs $34 billion budget fully funding Medicaid and repealing CON laws, Ohio Governor DeWine enacts Medicaid fraud prevention bill, Oregon Health Authority awards $97.1 million in RHTP funding, Vermont Governor Scott issues executive order on healthcare affordability, and Wyoming Health Department releases RFP for $205 Million in RHTP funding.

In this week’s update: DOJ launches 2026 national health care fraud takedown, Alabama Medicaid pauses implementation of stricter ABA referral requirements, Kansas rural hospitals form clinically integrated network, Florida Attorney General launches investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices, Illinois Governor signs abortion medical information protection law, Indiana partners with CMS to launch AI Medicaid FWA Prevention Pilot, Iowa becomes first state to full allocate RHTP funding, Maryland extends pause on Medicaid behavioral health provider enrollments, Montana budget shortfall leads to elimination of Medicaid provider pay increases, Vermont Governor enacts legislation to expand optometrist scope of practice, and West Virginia Governor releases RHTP funding for worksite clinics.

In this week’s update: CMS releases 1115 budget neutrality guidance, HHS announces $700 million in funding opportunities for behavioral health services, HHS finds 500 hospitals non-compliant with federal price transparency rules, Colorado receives FDA approval to import lower-cost drugs from Canada, Florida Governor announces Medicaid fraud initiative, Iowa state auditor finds alleged $100 million in PBM Medicaid back-end payments, Nevada Health Authority announces first round of RHTP grant awards, DOJ sues New York state officials over alleged Medicaid fraud, North Carolina Supreme Court rejects petition to bypass Court of Appeals for CON case, PCMA files lawsuit against Tennessee law prohibiting joint pharmacy and insurer or PBM, Vermont Governor vetoes legislation implementing reference-based pricing, Wisconsin DHS releases $40 million in RHTP grant funding, and Wyoming judge rules three state abortion laws are unconstitutional.

In this week’s update: SAMHSA unveils $40 million in funding for behavioral health initiatives in communities, Alabama Attorney General issues cease-and-desist letters to companies over mail-order abortion pills, Arizona finalizes budget with rural health and human services funding, Arkansas RHTP grant released focusing on healthcare workforce and service gaps, Idaho opens first round of RHTP funding opportunities, Montana to move forward with July 1 Medicaid community engagement implementation, New Jersey calls for expanded access and coordination in youth mental health services, North Carolina expands RHTP efforts with EMS workforce funding opportunity, Rhode Island creates commission to study hospital staffing levels and patient safety, Rhode Island Senate advances bill to establish a licensure pathway for foreign-trained dentists and hygienists, and Virginia enacts Sickle Cell reform package.

In this week’s update: CMS releases Interim Final Rule on Medicaid work requirements, Connecticut Governor signs law restricting private equity influence in hospitals, Colorado judge hears arguments on manufacturer lawsuit against PDAB, Florida Governor considers options on FY27 Budget, Illinois Legislature enrolls 340B reform and downcoding legislation, Hawaii experiences federal funding cut to its Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Louisiana Legislature enrolls measures to establish a PDAB and accelerate MCO utilization review determinations, Sixth Circuit Court affirms decision to dismiss lawsuit against a 2022 Michigan constitutional amendment protecting abortion access, New York Governor signs FY27 budget with an increase to Medicaid, Ohio Medicaid MCOs are required to apply new statewide prior authorization standards, CMS approves Oregon’s proposal for rural maternity care support, Pennsylvania releases RFI for Community HealthChoices MCO procurement, Texas House holds interim committee hearings on affordability and RHTP, Washington seeks comments on defining medical frailty for its Medicaid work requirements implementation, and West Virginia Governor announces $3.4 million in new RHTP funding.

In this week’s update: Alaska Legislature passes bills to fulfill RHTP application commitments, California 1115 Waiver open for public comment, Connecticut enacts CON reform, Illinois Legislature enrolls bill prohibiting certain downcoding practices, Iowa enacts prior authorization reform and a tax on vapes and alternative nicotine products, Minnesota releases RFI on Medicaid work requirements, Mississippi Legislature holds hearing on RHTP implementation, Nevada providers urge Legislature to strengthen 340B protections, New Mexico Governor expands health professional loan repayment program, Tennessee faces lawsuit on law prohibiting joint PBM and pharmacy ownership, and Vermont enrolls reference-based pricing bill.

In this week’s update: CMS proposes caps to Medicaid provider payment rates, California has deferral of $1.3 billion in Medicaid reimbursements, Illinois’ House engrosses bill to establish PDAB with UPL authority, Indiana Medicaid gets CMS approval to incentivize hospitals to lower costs, Iowa’s Governor Reynolds signs bill restricting telehealth abortion medication access, Maryland PDAB votes to set UPL on Ozempic, New Jersey Assembly engrosses comprehensive PBM reform bill, Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday appeals ruling authorizing Medicaid funding for abortions, Tennessee Governor Lee enacts law prohibiting joint PBM, pharmacy, and health plan ownership, Virginia Governor Spanberger vetoes PDAB Advisory Panel bill, Wyoming gets CMS approval for updated RHTP application.

In this week’s update: SCOTUS overrides ban on mail-order abortion medication access, Arizona to utilize AI for Medicaid prepayment claim review, Colorado Governor signs FY27 budget with Medicaid reductions, Delaware Governor announces introduction of two bills to lower healthcare costs, Georgia issues Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse RFI, Indiana Supreme Court denies petition to hear challenge to state abortion ban, Iowa Governor signs prior authorization reform bill into law, Minnesota Senate opts not to concur with House adopted Medicaid reform bill, Missouri General Assembly enrolls healthcare omnibus bill, New Hampshire House Committee opts to sit on insurer assessment bill, Rhode Island Attorney General announces a series of healthcare reform legislation, Virginia Governor signs package of bills related to healthcare, and West Virginia Governor announces additional RHTP funding.

In this week’s update: SCOTUS temporarily reinstates mail-order abortion medication rule, Arkansas opens up application portal for RHTP Funding, Connecticut Legislature enrolls bill providing oversight of private equity nursing home ownership, Idaho Medicaid managed care implementation delayed due to MMIS contract, Montana seeks applicants for RHTP Center of Excellence Advisory Council, New Mexico releases RFP for RHTP technical assistance vendor for rural providers, North Carolina Senate passes bills related to Medicaid reimbursed facility fees and hospital price transparency, North Carolina county officials delay vote on WakeMed and Atrium Health merger, Oklahoma Attorney General requests state audit of Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma enacts bill banning abortion-inducing medications, Settlement reached in Oregon case challenging corporate medicine law, Tennessee enacts bill allowing COPA to expire for health system, and Lawsuit filed in Virginia to overturn abortion ballot initiative.

In this week’s update: Alabama Medicaid releases RFPs for Medicaid Management Information System, Colorado Legislature enrolls budget limiting coverage for immigrant children and capping dental benefits, Florida House rejects Governor’s efforts at vaccine repeal bill, Kentucky circuit court finds certain provisions of near-total abortion ban unconstitutional, Fifth Circuit blocks mail-order abortion medication nationwide, Mississippi Governor launches Rural Health Transformation Program Office, Nebraska becomes the first state to implement Medicaid work requirements, North Carolina enacts bill to fund Medicaid shortfall and implement program integrity measures, Federal District Court finds North Dakota’s 340B contract pharmacy law unconstitutional, Oklahoma Senate enrolls bill criminalizing abortion pill dispensing, Pennsylvania releases applications for Rural Health Transformation Program grant funding, Utah Medical Licensing Boards requests a suspension of the AI Pilot Prescription Program, and Wyoming state court granted temporary block on state abortion band.

In this week’s update: CMS issues Medicaid FWA letters to Governors and Medicaid Directors, Connecticut Senate engrosses bill restricting REITs in healthcare, Delaware Senate enrolls bill removing COPA requirement for major medical equipment, Idaho Rural Health Transformation Committee begins process to award state’s funding, Kentucky to implement 1115 reentry demonstration, Louisiana Attorney General asks 5th Circuit to block mail-order abortion medication, North Carolina Legislature enrolls bill covering Medicaid shortfall and introducing program integrity measures, Pennsylvania court finds ban on Medicaid abortion coverage unconstitutional, South Carolina Senator seeks to block debate on abortion ban bill, Tennessee Legislature enrolls bill restricting joint PBM, pharmacy, and health insurer ownership, Sixth Circuit affirms ERISA exemptions from pharmacy anti-steering laws, and Virginia Legislature rejects Governor’s amendments to Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Panel bill.