State Health Updates

• Alabama – The Alabama Department of Public Health wants to hear from state residents about health issues they believe are the most important in their communities. The 2026 Community Health Opinion Survey is a component of the State Health Assessment that identifies health issues and challenges at the community level. Results will be used to guide future public health strategies in areas where improvements are most needed. 
• Alaska – The Alaska Department of Health (DOH) posted an update on its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The update notes that the Alaska Community Foundation received 1,795 letters of interest from 864 unique organizations and details the review process. DOH also announced RHTP Impacts, a new interactive webinar series convening partners to collaborate within the state’s six RHTP initiatives, as well as a series of regional planning meetings. 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 – The Department of Health Care Services released its 2025 BrightLife Kids and Soluna Impact Report, detailing how California’s free behavioral health platforms have reached more than 500,000 users, including children, youth, young adults, and families, across all 58 California counties. Launched in 2024, the platforms offer free confidential mental health support and resources to all Californians, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
• Idaho – The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is hiring for multiple positions to support the RHTP. DHW is recruiting a team of professionals across program management, finance, grants, and project coordination.
• Michigan – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Aging, Community Living, and Supports (ACLS) has developed the State Plan on Aging for fiscal years 2027 to 2029 and is seeking public comment on the updated plan. To support the development of the plan, the ACLS Bureau conducted a comprehensive needs assessment and engaged older adults, their family members and key partners through community conversations, interviews and a statewide survey.
• Nebraska – The  Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced it will comply with CMS’ requests to accelerate provider revalidation activities and develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy to ensure only qualified and legitimate providers participate in Medicaid.
• New Jersey – The Department of Banking and Insurance announced that cost increases due to the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs) has resulted in nearly 70,000 people, or 14% of those initially enrolled in health plans through Get Covered New Jersey, to drop their coverage since the end of the open enrollment period in January.
• New York – NY State of Health, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, published a health coverage report as of January 31, 2026, which details enrollment trends given the expiration of the ePTCs. Approximately 50,000 fewer New Yorkers—20% of total qualified health plan (QHP) enrollment—are receiving financial assistance to purchase QHP coverage for 2026 as compared to 2025. Statewide, the premium for consumers who are still eligible for PTCs is $104 higher per month on average in 2026 as compared to 2025, a 20% increase.
• North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced Melanie Bush as the next Deputy Secretary of Medicaid for the NCDHHS Division of Health Benefits. In this role, Deputy Secretary Bush will continue to provide leadership, strategic direction, operational oversight, and managed care supervision for NC Medicaid, which serves more than 3 million North Carolinians who rely on these critical services.
• North Dakota – North Dakota Health and Human Services announced $3.6 million in three new RHTP grant opportunities. The grant opportunities include a Zero Hour Physical Education initiative, community gardens projects, and community-based walking programs. Additional funding opportunities for healthcare, school and community-based organizations will roll out in coming weeks.
• Oklahoma – The Oklahoma State Department of Health posted an update on its RHTP program, including programmatic, operational, and public engagement efforts. The update also includes an overview of the competitive procurement opportunities anticipated in year one and the initial funding opportunities that have been released. 
• Pennsylvania
  • The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services created a webpage listing RHTP funding opportunities. 
  • Governor Josh Shapiro released a statement in response to Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania’s decision in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center vs. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, which affirms a fundamental right to reproductive autonomy and finds that under Pennsylvania law, a state ban on Medicaid coverage for most instances of abortion care is unconstitutional.
• Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is making $60 million in initial federal funding available through the RHTP to rural hospital districts to create or improve community-based prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs.
• Virginia – Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a package of legislation to improve and expand healthcare coverage for Virginia mothers and families, particularly women who face the highest risks: HB1400 increases access to maternal mental healthcare screenings; HB1403 directs the Department of Health to develop a reporting system to better track Severe Maternal Morbidity; HB425 expands Medicaid reimbursements to include remote monitoring of pregnant women; and HB1353 directs the Commissioner of Health to assess a future statewide maternal health safety initiative.
• West Virginia – Governor Patrick Morrisey signed Senate Bill 570, officially authorizing the use of federal funds to launch the RHTP. The Department of Health will begin releasing competitive awards for funding availability on a rolling basis over the next two weeks. These initial grants will focus specifically on the workforce pipeline, recruitment, and community-based nutrition challenges.