State Health Updates

• Alabama – The Alabama Department of Public Health announced a request for proposals for funding the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative. EHE is a national strategy to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030. Proposed strategies should focus on rapidly and effectively treating people with HIV to reach viral suppression and quickly responding to potential HIV outbreaks to get needed prevention and treatment services to people at risk.  
• Alaska – The Alaska Department of Health will host a three-day RHTP convening in January to help healthcare providers, Tribal partners, community organizations, health technology vendors, and other stakeholders prepare for implementation of the state’s RHTP. The convening will mark the official launch of Alaska’s RHTP implementation. 
• Colorado – The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) will host a webinar on February 11, during which experts will provide an update on the RHTP, discuss the impact on hospitals of H.R.1 and other changing federal policies, and discuss HCPF’s budget reductions. 
• Maryland – Governor Wes Moore announced that Maryland state agency projects have been awarded two grants—totaling more than $2.6 million over two years—that will fund artificial intelligence (AI) projects that aim to help Marylanders better access public services. Through a $1.2 million award, the Maryland Department of Human Services, Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Benefits, and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange are leading a multi-state project that will develop AI tools to streamline work verification for SNAP and Medicaid.
• Michigan
  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking members to serve on the Rural Health Transformation Advisory Council. MDHHS is looking for individuals and organizations with experience, insight and a strong commitment to improving rural health. Ideal candidates include leaders from community-based organizations, rural health providers, hospitals and clinics, behavioral health organizations, social service agencies, local public health departments, tribal partners and residents of rural communities. 
  • In an effort to increase access to dental care for Michigan residents, MDHHS is assisting with the development of a dental therapy training program. Dental therapists are licensed providers trained to deliver routine dental care including exams, cleanings and fillings under a dentist’s supervision. Because they focus on a limited set of procedures, training is faster and more affordable than traditional dental school–three to six years compared to eight years.
• Minnesota – The Minnesota Department of Human Services is appealing a decision by the Trump administration to withhold over $2 billion in annual Medicaid funding for Minnesota. Since October 2024, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has enhanced its continued work to stop fraud in Medicaid programs, identify risks, and harden programs to prevent bad actors from accessing them. The state acted to meet or exceed the steps CMS requested in a December letter to address program integrity concerns. However, Administrator Oz has now deemed the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ actions inadequate—without time for state and federal agencies to discuss and agree upon a corrective action plan. The state formally appealed the CMS decision and the federal agency must now set a date for a hearing.
• Nebraska – The Department of Health and Human Services announced that funding will become available in the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund which will allow Nebraska to move forward with funding domestic violence support services. A total of $3 million will be distributed to Nebraska’s statewide network of providers serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
• New Jersey  
  • The New Jersey Departments of Health, Human Services, and Children and Families and Office of the Attorney General issued a statement on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Actions Related to Gender-Affirming Care and Youth. The statement highlights how HHS’ actions further limit access to gender-affirming care—going against public health, science, and justice in the process.
  • Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman published a report, “Delivering Dignity and Opportunity: New Jersey Human Services Under Governor Murphy – Advancing Affordability, Family Success, and Inclusion.” The report highlights eight years of accomplishments across New Jersey’s human services ecosystem. 
• North Carolina – Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Health and Human Services will host a virtual town hall on Friday, January 16, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., to discuss North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
• Oregon – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) shared an update on the federal use of health data following a federal court ruling which allows CMS to start sharing limited information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In the update, OHA explains it is following CMS requirements while also limiting the transfer of sensitive information as much as possible.