In this week’s update: CMS intends to limit Medicaid-funded continuous eligibility and workforce initiatives moving forward, NASHP to work with states on maternity care deserts, Connecticut enacts bill preserving fluoridation standards, Iowa’s Integrated Health Home program to sunset, Kentucky submits 1115 demonstration application to assist enrollees with job services, Pennsylvania House passes budget framework and the Senate opts to gut it, Pennsylvania Governor launches joint inspections into substance use and mental health providers, South Carolina submits 1115 demonstration application to implement work requirements with expanded coverage, and Fourth Circuit upholds West Virginia law banning abortion medication.

In this week’s update: California continues to move PBM reform, Florida Governor issues veto on nursing education reform, Missouri circuit court reimposes preliminary injunction on state’s abortion restrictions, SCOTUS declines petition from Montana on parental consent law, Montana prepares to submit 1115 demonstration application for Medicaid work requirements, New York implements new network adequacy rules, Maine Governor holds onto healthcare related bills until next session, North Carolina enacts PBM reform, Texas Governor issues special session agenda with some healthcare implications, and Wisconsin Governor signs budget into law with new provider tax.

In this week’s update: President signs HR 1 into law with significant state implications, Connecticut Governor signs bill authorizing reduction of health insurers’ rate increases and other healthcare reform efforts, Illinois Governor signs PBM and prior authorization reform into law, Iowa judge rules PBM reform law may be delayed for plaintiffs of lawsuit, New Hampshire Legislature enrolls prohibition of gender affirming care for youth, New Jersey Governor signs FY2026 budget into law, New York Governor releases Master Plan for Aging, Ohio Governor signs budget into law with healthcare line-item vetoes of note, and Wisconsin Supreme Court issues ruling finding 1849 law does not prohibit abortion.

In this week’s update: California reaches budget agreement, Colorado to use opioid settlement funds for Naloxone, Delaware Governor signs executive order protecting gender affirming care, Iowa PBM reform law challenged in court, Maine enrolls PDAB legislation, New Hampshire enrolls ambulance surprise billing reform, North Carolina considers mini budgets, North Carolina Legislature continues its work on healthcare reform package, Ohio sends budget to Governor with healthcare policy implications, Oklahoma Governor issues Executive Order to examine and implement MAHA initiatives, SCOTUS rules in favor of South Carolina to prohibit Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, and Oregon PBM reform fails for two reasons.

In this week’s update: Senate Finance Committee releases reconciliation proposal with enhanced cuts to state Medicaid dollars, ALEC to consider model legislation on facility fees and 340B transparency, states agree to new opioid settlement, SCOTUS ruling supports state laws banning puberty blockers and hormone treatments for teens, Delaware budget to fund Hospital Cost Review Board, Florida enrolls budget with healthcare investments, Iowa submits 1115 demonstration application to CMS to implement work requirements, Idaho Supreme Court calls for new abortion ballot initiative language, Maine adopts legislation to advance physician associate title, Michigan House passes Nurse Licensure Compact, New Hampshire budget at stalemate with healthcare implications, and Rhode Island General Assembly enrolls 340B reform bill.

In this week’s update: CMS to propose rule on state directed payments, California Legislature offers proposed budget, Connecticut FQHCs withdraw Medicaid rate petition, Iowa Governor signs PBM reform into law, Louisiana adjourns with some limited action on PBM reform and a special session likely, Louisiana enrolls measure pertaining to Medicaid eligibility verification procedures, Louisiana enrolls measure expanding authority for pursuing legal actions against out-of-state physicians providing abortion medications, Massachusetts Senate set to vote on supplemental budget increasing hospital funding, Minnesota Legislature advances budget bills to Governor, Montana Supreme Court strikes down 2021 abortion laws, New York Legislature advances Medical Aid in Dying Act, Oregon enacts legislation limiting corporate investment and management in healthcare, Pennsylvania Senate passes pharmacy disclosure bill, Pennsylvania House passes measure to limit private equity in healthcare, and West Virginia Governor suggests a special session on public employees insurance plan issues.

In this week’s update: California advances prior authorization bills, Connecticut fails to amend hospital provider tax increase prior to end of session, Florida Attorney General issues subpoenas on health price transparency probe, Florida submits new 1115 demonstration application for workforce programs, Illinois budget leaves out coverage for some undocumented immigrants, Massachusetts Senate holds hearing on upper payment limits bill, Minnesota special session on budget to consider eliminating Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants, Nebraska enacts prior authorization reform, North Carolina Senate passes healthcare reform measure, Oregon Legislature considers amending Death with Dignity Act, Pennsylvania House passes insurance mandate for contraceptive coverage, and Texas enrolls its budget with significant implications for healthcare.

In this week’s update: CMS to enhance oversight on states providing Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants, lawsuits filed in Arkansas on bill restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies, California Senate passes gold carding bill, Illinois General Assembly enrolls PBM reform measure, Kentucky establishes interim legislative healthcare task forces, Louisiana House Committee votes down anti-fluoride bill, Missouri Supreme Court blocks recent abortion circuit court ruling, Nebraska passes bill reforming state’s behavioral health contracts, New Hampshire settles lawsuit on state’s provider tax and a House Committee votes to pass surprise billing protections, North Carolina House adopts two-year budget proposal and Senate amends prior authorization bill, Oklahoma Legislature overrides Governor’s veto on 340B bill, prior authorization bills in Oklahoma become enacted, Texas House opts not to consider distribution of abortion medication measure, Texas Legislature enrolls telehealth and provider payment bills, and West Virginia Governor’s Executive Order authorizing religious exemptions from vaccinations in school settings is challenged in court.

In this week’s update: Colorado opts to cover GLP-1s to a limited extent for state employees, Connecticut reaches agreement on Medicaid spending and Senate passes bill limiting insurers’ rate increases, Delaware legalizes physician-assisted suicide, Maryland enacts PDAB bill and the Department of Health proposes regulations for community-based behavioral health programs, Minnesota Governor and Legislature reach budget agreement which eliminates coverage for undocumented immigrants, Montana Governor vetoes presumptive eligibility and mandatory coverage bills, New York Senate passes healthcare package, New York submits 1115 demonstration amendment for its Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities program, Ohio legislative leader introduces 340B bill, Oklahoma Governor vetoes 340B bill, and Texas House passes bill clarifying medical exceptions to abortion.

In this week’s update: U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee release reconciliation proposal with significant state Medicaid implications, California Governor’s revised budget takes on PBM reform and healthcare for undocumented immigrants, Florida Governor to veto medical malpractice reform, Georgia enacts teledentistry bill into law, Iowa enrolls Medicaid work requirements and PBM reform, Kentucky releases proposal on Medicaid community engagement, Michigan state judge strikes down state’s 24-hour waiting period for abortion care, Missouri sending abortion back to the ballot, Nevada Governor introduces healthcare reform package, Oklahoma enrolls 340B reform, Rhode Island Senate passes cap on prescription drug costs, and a Texas bill codifying transparency requirements on costs for undocumented immigrants stalls out and the Governor submits waiver on SNAP.

In this week’s update: NASHP launches cell and gene therapy state network, Alabama authorizes Farm Bureau health plan, Colorado enrolls 340B bill, Florida enrolls mental health reform bill, Florida Medicaid Expansion campaign files suit against state, Georgia submits 1115 demonstration extension application, Illinois Governor signs EO on data sharing of individuals with autism, Michigan Attorney General files lawsuit against PBMs, Minnesota House passes human services omnibus, North Carolina passes surprise billing protections for ambulance services, New York Governor signs budget with key healthcare provisions, Texas 340B bill waiting for agenda placement in House Calendars Committee, and Virginia Governor vetoes contraception bill.

In this week’s update: U.S. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announces new programs at NCOIL, Arizona Governor signs provider credentialing bill, Colorado Governor likely to sign non-compete prohibition for physicians, California considers prior authorization reform, Florida bans Fluoride, Iowa Senate passes PBM reform and considers prohibition on Medicaid funding for gender dysphoria treatment, Missouri closer to putting abortion back on the ballot, Nevada Senate passes bill limiting AI in prior authorization, North Carolina House passes significant prior authorization reform, Texas takes action on a number of bills related to abortion and vaccines, and Washington enrolls a measure to standardize mental health coverage.

In this week’s update: Colorado considers EMTALA-like bill, Florida examines bill prohibiting discrimination based on vaccination status, Indiana General Assembly adjourns with numerous healthcare measures enrolled, Michigan Senate passes PDAB bill, Mississippi Governor vetoes CON bill, Montana does not advance personhood constitutional amendment, New Jersey proposes newly integrated care licensure standards, New Mexico Governor signs M&A oversight bill, North Dakota Senate passes prescription drug cost measure, Ohio Medicaid releases study on moving to single PBM model, Oklahoma advances bill to criminalize delivery of abortion-inducing medications, Tennessee enrolls 340B bill, Texas holds hearing on bill related to uncompensated care costs for certain immigrants, and Vermont enrolls bill to erase medical debt.

In this week’s update: CMS issues SMD letter on gender affirming care, Alabama enacts PBM reform, Arizona submits 1115 amendment to CMS, Arkansas submits waiver banning soft drinks and candy under SNAP and enrolls Medicaid MLR bill, California enacts Medicaid supplemental budget, Idaho court loosens abortion ban, Indiana enrolls Medicaid reform and Governor Mike Braun issues new healthcare executive orders, Iowa submits 1115 amendment for work requirements and the Legislature advances healthcare appropriation bills and prior authorization reform, Missouri constitutional amendment to ban abortion passes the House, Nevada Assembly committee passes bill establishing psychedelic therapy pilot program, and North Carolina Senate approves measure to repeal CON and rolls out their budget plan.

In this week’s update: Updates on CMS nursing home staffing rule and federal match for DSIP and DSHP initiatives, Alabama moves forward on PBM reform and coverage initiatives, Arkansas enrolls bill prohibiting PBMs from owning pharmacies, Idaho enacts legislation limiting public benefits for certain immigrants, Illinois right of conscience law ruled partly unconstitutional, Indiana moves forward on Medicaid reform, Maryland’s UPL bill goes to the Governor, Nebraska enacts 340B reform, New York enrolls bill to prohibit for-profit hospices, Oregon Senate advances bill to limit hospital facility fees, Vermont CON bill receives hearing, and Washington enacts prior authorization bills.

In this week’s update: Temporary relief to state’s $11 billion in federal funding for infectious disease purposes, Court ruling prohibits Alabama from prosecuting for out-of-state abortion care assistance, Arkansas submits 1115 demonstration application, Arkansas House passes bill prohibiting PBMs from owning pharmacies, California Medical Association releases advocacy agenda, Georgia passes protections for IVF, Indiana keeps moving Medicaid reform along, Michigan invests in Healthy Community Zones, Mississippi Governor vetoes Medicaid reform bill, Montana Governor signs bill extending Medicaid expansion, Nebraska cuts funding to prescription drug donation program, Nevada considers fixes to Medicaid shortfall, North Carolina considers CON repeal and Medicaid work requirements, South Carolina Governor’s nominee for Director of Public Health fails to advance, and West Virginia opts against moving Medicaid expansion poison pill and advances bill to restrict abortion care medications.

In this week’s update: HHS pulls back $12 billion in funding to states, Arkansas enacts PBM prompt payment bill, activity in Colorado on UPLs and 340B, Florida committees navigate AI in healthcare and the House passes medical malpractice reform, Iowa Senate passes Medicaid work requirements, Kentucky General Assembly overrides vetoes on healthcare bills, Maine submits 1115 renewal application, Mississippi enrolls CON reform, New York provides guidance on healthcare transaction law, North Dakota Senate passes 340B bill, Pennsylvania House passes bill to codify ACA protections in state statute, Oklahoma House passes measure on limiting insulin costs, Oregon opts against pursuing UPL setting authority for PDAB, Utah enacts 340B reform, Virginia Governor vetoes PDAB bill again, West Virginia enacts bill banning food dye and considers limited CON reform.

In this week’s update: Alabama Senate advances PBM reform, California and Connecticut grapple with continued Medicaid budget shortfalls, Florida Senate considers medical malpractice adjustments, Indiana continues committee work on Medicaid and health cost reform, Idaho Governor signs Medicaid reform into law, Iowa continues Appropriations committee work on health care legislation, Kentucky enrolls Medicaid reform, New Mexico House passes healthcare transaction reform, New Hampshire holds second hearing on bill to repeal vaccine purchasing program, New York launches new PBM and drug manufacturer complaint platform, North Carolina to consider prior authorization legislation, Ohio court issues ruling on gender-affirming care ban, Ohio Governor provides new details on dental pilot program, Pennsylvania House seeks to codify ACA protections, and Washington House considers bill authorizing restitution to victims of fraudulent and illegal acts by insurers.

In this week’s update: California and Maine navigate Medicaid budget shortfalls, Colorado continues work on mental health reform, Connecticut and Mississippi continue work on PBM reform, Connecticut FQHCs file petition calling for increased Medicaid rates, Idaho passes Medicaid reform, Kentucky amends state’s abortion ban, Louisiana audit examines Medicaid incentive payment program, Maryland inches closer to enhanced PDAB authority, Michigan advances 340B and medical debt measures, Missouri advances gold carding measure, Montana judge strikes down two 2023 abortion bills, New Hampshire advances Medicaid work requirements bill, New Mexico continues effort to reform prior authorization, Tennessee tackles conscience protections for providers, and Utah will be the first state to ban fluoride.

In this week’s update: CMS rescinds HRSN guidance for states, Arizona abortion ban found unconstitutional, Colorado passes mental health reform, Delaware providers prepare for legislative session, Florida regulators request personal prescription drug data, Idaho negotiated Medicaid expansion bill passes House, Missouri House passes bill to cover hearing aids, Mississippi moves CON and PBM measures, New Hampshire moves bill to terminate vaccine association, Ohio seeks implementation of Medicaid work requirements, Oregon considers corporate practice of medicine bill, South Dakota approves sending another Medicaid question to the ballot in 2026, and West Virginia debates universal licensure bill.