State Health Updates

• California – The Department of Health Care Services in partnership with Smile, California, is raising awareness about Medi-Cal Dental benefit changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. On that date, adult members aged 19 and older who currently receive full‑scope benefits, but do not meet federal immigration status requirements, will no longer receive full-scope dental benefits and will transition to emergency-only dental coverage. To support access to care, Smile, California will host Mobile Dental Van events throughout 2026.
• Colorado – Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, released its annual Open Enrollment Report. Colorado Premium Assistance is providing approximately $10.6 million per month to help offset premium costs due to the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credits for more than 176,000 customers. Even with remaining federal tax credits and Colorado Premium Assistance, Connect for Health Colorado estimates customers are paying approximately $19 million more per month in premiums compared to plan year 2025.
• Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation protecting vaccine access. House Bill 5044 removes the requirement under existing Connecticut statutes that the state’s vaccine standards be linked to those set by ACIP and establishes the methods needed for the state to preserve the current vaccine standards. This move also ensures that pharmacists in Connecticut can continue to administer these vaccines, and that all state regulated individual and group insurance plans will continue covering their costs. In addition, the bill establishes a voluntary adult flu vaccine pilot program to help patients access free flu vaccines if they are uninsured or underinsured. For guidance to help states support continued vaccine access and maximize flexibility on the ground, see this SHVS State Vaccine Toolkit. 
• Hawai’i 
  • The Department of Health is hiring a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) project analyst. 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.  
  • Meredith Nichols has been appointed as Medicaid Director. Meredith previously served as the Deputy Medicaid Director/Assistant Administrator for Med-QUEST from 2017 to 2026. Congratulations, Meredith! 
• Kentucky – Governor Andy Beshear announced that overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased for the fourth year in a row, with a 22.9% decrease in 2025 compared with the previous year and a 50.8% decrease from 2021. The 2025 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report highlights that 2025 saw the lowest number of overdose deaths recorded since 2014.
• Maryland – The Maryland Department of Health announced the launch of its Medically Tailored Meals program. The Medically Tailored Meals Program is a free, six-month service that provides freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals tailored to each participant’s specific dietary needs. This program is intended to support disease management, reduce hospitalizations, and elevate the quality of life for vulnerable Marylanders. The Department is expanding this initiative by planning a Produce Prescriptions program, set to be rolled out later this year. 
• Michigan – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of a new statewide Gun Lock Distribution Map, a tool designed to help residents easily locate free firearm safety devices and expand access to safe storage resources across Michigan. 
• Mississippi
  • Governor Tate Reeves announced the establishment of the Mississippi RHTP Office and launch of the official Mississippi RHTP website. The newly created office will be housed within the Office of the Governor.
  • Governor Reeves announced the deployment of $13,464,444 to support mental health systems for Mississippi children, youth and students. Through the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Coronavirus Relief (CDBG‑CV) program, the Mississippi Development Authority has approved targeted funding to expand access to mental healthcare, increase telehealth capacity, support specialized behavioral health workforce training and enhance community‑based education efforts across the state.
• Missouri – The Missouri Department of Social Services’ Rural Health Transformation Office is preparing to release an invitation for bid for the Strategic Minor Renovations program, a key initiative under the state’s ToRCH (Transformation of Rural Community Health) Care model, part of its RHTP effort.  
• Nebraska – The Department of Health and Human Services will implement new work requirements for Medicaid enrollees in the expansion category. H.R.1 requires states to implement the changes by January 1, 2027; Nebraska will implement the new work requirements starting May 1, 2026. Although the requirements take effect May 1, they will not be applied to all expansion members immediately. Reviews will occur during each member’s regularly scheduled Medicaid renewal period.
• New Mexico – The New Mexico Health Care Authority issued a request for proposals seeking qualified vendors to support key rural and behavioral health initiatives across the state. This procurement will support administration and oversight of multiple programs, including the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, the federally funded RHTP, implementation of the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (Senate Bill 3), and non-Medicaid behavioral health services.
• North Carolina – Governor Josh Stein announced he has signed House Bill 696 to fully fund the state’s Medicaid program. In a signing statement Governor Stein wrote, “Fully funding Medicaid is critical for North Carolinians’ health and safety. I am pleased that we have come together on a bi-partisan basis to get people the certainty and care they need…Yet, this bill has serious flaws that I call on the General Assembly to fix during this Short Session. It will eliminate health care coverage for nearly 27,000 pregnant women and children who are lawfully present in the United States, including victims of human trafficking, green card holders, and refugees. Women in need will be cut off from care in the middle of their pregnancies and children during their most vulnerable years…The bill also layers onerous red tape that will force some North Carolinians to wait up to three months, longer than nearly every other state to get the health care benefits they are eligible to receive. And at a time when health care costs continue to burden working families, this bill makes Medicaid expansion recipients’ co-pays for certain health services more expensive.”
• North Dakota – North Dakota Health and Human Services announced that a tribal liaison and a rural healthcare advisor have joined the agency to help guide the RHTP. As tribal liaison, Vincent Roehr will help ensure tribal perspectives, priorities and sovereignty are meaningfully integrated into the program, helping advance rural healthcare in tribal communities. As a rural healthcare advisor, Douglas McMillan will lead efforts serving North Dakota rural healthcare facilities assessing their current operations and building effective pathways from “survivability to thrive-ability.”
• Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced the first funding opportunity through the RHTP, making $25 million available to qualified entities including hospitals, healthcare providers, and rural health facilities operating in areas eligible for the funding. This initial funding opportunity will support purchase of supplies and equipment as well as renovations and structural improvements, and funded projects will receive up to $1 million to support these initiatives. 
• Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is making $99 million in federal funding available to rural hospitals. As part of the state’s RHTP, the Rural Texas Strong plan, the grant opportunity will help healthcare providers recruit and retain workers.
• West Virginia – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the first tranche of $28.56 million in RHTP funding opportunities, now open for eligible organizations to apply to improve health outcomes, help more West Virginians return to the workforce, and strengthen the state’s rural healthcare workforce.