State Health Updates

• Alaska – The Alaska Department of Health released a draft of six broad initiatives that will form the backbone of the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) application, which were informed by the responses to its request for information seeking public input. SHVS continues to track state action to create a transformation plan and prepare to apply for the RHTP. 
• Arizona 
  • Governor Katie Hobbs has directed the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to establish an exception process for members of the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) program. The initiative aims to increase flexibility for Arizonans with intellectual and developmental disabilities by allowing families who document that they need more direct care or habilitation service hours than assessed to request reviews for extraordinary care needs. AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Economic Security will host virtual sessions to help families understand the changes.
  • AHCCCS has retained an independent consultant to facilitate three open roundtable discussions aimed at improving the AHCCCS procurement process. The meetings are intended to be informal and are open to the public; AHCCCS encourages participation from all community members with an interest in the procurement process. 
• California
  • Governor Gavin Newsom announced investments of over $140 million in state funding to support Planned Parenthood health centers given the loss of federal funding through H.R.1. This funding will allow Planned Parenthood to continue operating until the state can find additional resources for the next year.
  • Governor Newsom announced that California’s CalRx Insulin Glargine in pen form will be available to consumers for a suggested retail price of not more than $55 per five-pack of pens (average cost of $11 per pen) beginning January 1, 2026, reducing barriers to accessing this essential diabetes medication. Governor Newsom also signed SB 41 regulating pharmacy benefit managers to prevent inflated prescription drug prices, including prohibiting the practice of spread pricing, requiring manufacturer rebates to be passed through to health plans, and allowing only administrative fee charges to be assessed to health plan and health insurer clients.
• Colorado – The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) launched a new webpage specific to H.R.1, which provides information on the federally mandated changes to  Medicaid. The webpage highlights educational resources, including an updated fact sheet on Medicaid work requirements. HCPF also launched (1) a survey to understand enrollees’ concerns about H.R.1 and how HCPF can best share information and (2) an online form for questions or comments related to H.R.1. 
• Delaware – Governor Matt Meyer congratulated Christen Linke Young on her confirmation by the Delaware State Senate as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. As Secretary, Young will oversee one of Delaware’s largest and most complex state agencies, leading efforts to strengthen public health, expand access to care, and modernize service delivery across the state. Congrats Christen!
• New Hampshire – Governor Kelly Ayotte announced she participated in a Governors’ call with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to hear what the agency is looking for in applications for the new Rural Health Transformation Program.
• New Mexico – The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) has awarded a contract to Guidehouse, a global professional services firm, to submit New Mexico’s Rural Health Transformation Plan grant application. This procurement follows a competitive request for proposal process and builds on stakeholder feedback gathered through a request for information. HCA and Guidehouse also hosted an online public meeting to solicit additional feedback to inform New Mexico’s transformation plan. 
• New York
  • Governor Kathy Hochul is allocating state funds to cover lost federal funding to Planned Parenthood affiliates in New York to protect access to healthcare services, including contraception, abortion, STI and HIV prevention, prenatal and menopausal care, mental health services, and preventive care like wellness visits and cancer screenings.
  • Governor Hochul highlighted that 140,000 impacted New Yorkers are now receiving notices about rising premiums given the scheduled expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits. New Yorkers’ health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 38% next year.
• North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), in partnership with CHESS Health and Diamond Mind, LLC, launched an initiative to provide specialized resources and services for military veterans and mental health providers. The Connections: Recovery Support app provides 24/7 access to trained peers, moderated online communities, daily check-ins, and proven coping tools to support recovery. NCDHHS sponsors this free resource, which is available in English and Spanish and can be used by any North Carolinian, including providers who want to enhance their recovery-support resources.