State Health Updates

• Arkansas – The state created a webpage highlighting its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). As a reminder, SHVS is tracking state RHTP implementation; this expert perspective identifies the state agencies leading RHTP work and includes links to state RHTP webpages. 
• California – Covered California, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, announced that state subsidies created to make up for the loss of federal enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs) kept renewals steady and over 1.9 million Californians signed up for or renewed their insurance during the 2026 open enrollment period. For the lowest-income consumers who are eligible for state subsidies that match the expired ePTCs, renewal rates were in line with last year’s. For middle-income consumers who lost all ePTCs, the cancellation rate among renewing enrollees has been 22%, double the 11% seen last year.
• Colorado – The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) recently released three annual reports on the financial health of Colorado hospitals and the benefits delivered to communities. By promoting greater transparency in hospital financial practices, reimbursement structures, and health outcomes, HCPF aims to help control costs, identify and address emerging challenges earlier, and pivot as needed to support more effective policy decisions that improve healthcare access, affordability and outcomes. 
• Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut is receiving a $154 million federal grant through the RHTP. The Connecticut Department of Social Services will serve as the lead agency on behalf of the state, partnering with other state agencies to implement dozens of projects organized across four core initiatives.
• Georgia – The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) announced that the state has received final approval from CMS for its amended first-year budget period to utilize awarded funds through the RHTP. As an initial step, DCH is working with subgrantees named in the original application to coordinate next steps and maximize the impact of awarded funds.
• Indiana – The state is accepting requests for funding applications for GROW (Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being) Regional Grants, an initiative of the Indiana RHTP. 
• Maryland – Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller announced the expansion of substance-use recovery services across Maryland’s rural communities through $1.6 million in awards to prepare people who have lived experience in recovery for careers as Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.
• Michigan – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is seeking proposals for primary substance-use prevention programs for youth. The purpose of the funding is to support community-based organizations in delivering evidence-informed primary prevention programs aimed at delaying the initiation of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among youth ages 12 to 17. 
• New Jersey – More than 509,000 New Jersey residents enrolled in health insurance coverage for 2026 through Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, during the open enrollment period. However, the state is cautioning that the full effect of the loss of federal subsidies has not impacted the Marketplace yet and is predicting a material drop off in enrollment this Spring.
• New Mexico – The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) will host an online public feedback session on the transition of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) program to the agency. The session is intended to provide information about the upcoming transfer of CARA administration to the HCA, which is scheduled to take effect July 1, and to hear directly from community members, partners and individuals with direct experience with the program.
• New York – Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to educate New Yorkers on regulations that improve access to mental health and substance-use disorder care. The ‘Real Care, Real Access to Behavioral Health Services’ campaign highlights regulations that give New Yorkers with qualifying health plans access to initial outpatient appointments for behavioral healthcare within 10 business days of the request and require insurers to help insured individuals access the care they are entitled to receive. 
• North Carolina – The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking applications from qualified organizations to serve as designated Rural Organizations Orchestrating Transformation for Sustainability (ROOTS) Hub Leads for the RHTP. ROOTS Hubs are regional, locally governed networks that coordinate services and lead implementation of RHTP initiatives.
• Ohio – The Ohio Department of Health posted RHTP solicitation invitations, including for a rural health workforce pipeline; pathways for upskilling and retention as well as a pharmacy initiative. 
• South Dakota – The state released its first and second rounds of RHTP requests for proposals (RFPs). The first round of RFPs includes opportunities for a digital health modernization and technology grant program manager; caregiver support programming; chronic disease self-management programming; and more. The second round of RFPs includes the Doula Workforce Advancement Program; a statewide maternal health access and services assessment; and Rural Health Forward, a statewide training and resource hub. 
• Virginia – Governor Abigail Spanberger has appointed Steve Ford as Director of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). Ford previously served in senior positions within DMAS, including Deputy Director and Division Director. Congratulations, Steve! 
• Washington – The Department of Children, Youth, and Families in collaboration with the Health Care Authority, will be the first state agency to provide healthcare services to individuals exiting from a carceral setting. Young people exiting Green Hill and Echo Glen will be eligible for Apple Health up to 90 days before their release and receive Medicaid Discharge Planning to support their health and reentry into their community.