State Health Updates

• Alabama – Governor Kay Ivey signed several bills to improve the availability and delivery of healthcare services, including: HB605 to provide limited antitrust protections to allow collaboration between healthcare providers; HB156 which streamlines state license approval of out-of-state physician assistants; SB269, HB116, and HB182 related to EMS payment, tuition reimbursement, and licensure, respectively; and HB300 and SB19 which eliminate copayments for breast cancer examinations and prostate cancer screenings, respectively.
• California – Governor Gavin Newsom called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to resume its review of current benchmark plan applications, approve California’s proposal to expand access to IVF and other essential services, and withdraw a proposed rule that would create new financial barriers to expanded coverage.
• Connecticut 
  • The Connecticut Department of Social Services announced the formation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) leadership team, naming four experienced public health professionals to guide the initiative. As a reminder, SHVS continues tracking state RHTP implementation: this expert perspective identifies the state agencies leading RHTP work and includes links to state RHTP webpages.
  • Connecticut submitted a request to CMS to renew the Connecticut Substance Use Disorder Section 1115(a) demonstration for five years. The proposed renewal will allow Connecticut to continue to use Medicaid and CHIP funding to reimburse institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) for treatment provided to Medicaid-eligible individuals with substance-use disorders. In addition, the renewal request incorporates proposals to address social determinants of health and implement a reentry demonstration initiative, which are part of the state’s pending amendment request submitted March 27, 2024.
• Florida – The Agency for Health Care Administration announced the release of the first round of procurement opportunities related to the RHTP. 
• Kentucky – Governor Andy Beshear signed legislation to enhance coverage for Kentuckians suffering from mental health conditions or eating disorders. House Bill 178 defines a psychiatric collaborative care model in Kentucky that seeks to provide reimbursement and coverage for mental health treatments. House Bill 169 requires health plans to cover the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders and prohibits insurers from using body mass index as the sole standard for coverage denial. Governor Beshear also signed Senate Bill 122 which updates the involuntary hospitalization statute to protect the rights of Kentuckians with mental illnesses. 
• Minnesota – The head of Minnesota’s Medicaid program is cautioning that despite CMS approval of the state’s corrective action plan, $3.1 billion in federal Medicaid funding is still at risk. A federal court ruling last week cleared the way for CMS to continue deferring $260 million in quarterly reimbursements for Medicaid claims the state has already paid out. An analysis by the Minnesota Department of Human Services demonstrates how the cuts will impact the entire state, potentially devastating rural healthcare providers.
• Missouri – The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that CMS approved $216 million in year one funding for the state’s RHTP. DSS is inviting rural healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to participate in a series of informational RHTP webinars.
• Nevada – Governor Joe Lombardo announced the launch of the Nevada Hospital Price Finder, a new online tool designed to give Nevadans clear, upfront access to hospital pricing information statewide. The tool is a result of the Hospital Transparency Act (AB 343), signed into law by Governor Lombardo last year. The Nevada Hospital Price Finder, developed by PatientRightsAdvocate.org, allows users to search and compare the exact prices of hospital services across the state, helping prevent surprise billing and empowering more informed healthcare decisions.
• New York
  • Governor Kathy Hochul announced 30 awards for a total $25 million investment to help address health equity for people with developmental disabilities, an initiative that was enacted in the fiscal year 2026 budget. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities prioritized awards based on projects related to expanding access to dental care, improving physical diagnostic space to better accommodate wheelchairs, creating sensory-friendly areas for neurodiverse patients, and improving access to specialty physical health services in ‘healthcare deserts.’
  • Governor Hochul announced $5 million in funding available through the new Havens of Opportunity, Peace and Empowerment (HOPE) initiative in communities with high rates of gun violence in New York City. Awards will enable organizations to establish and enhance safe, supportive and trusted neighborhood havens with consistent, high-quality programming for youth and families in each of New York City’s five boroughs.
• Pennsylvania – Governor Josh Shapiro signed three executive orders to strengthen the rights and protections of Pennsylvanians with disabilities and autism. The executive orders will reaffirm the Commonwealth’s disability nondiscrimination policy, establish new data privacy protections, reauthorizes the Developmental Disabilities Council, and create a new Governor’s advisory commission focused solely on people with disabilities.
• Utah – The Utah Department of Agriculture & Food is surveying potential applicants to the Rural Health Transformation Grant Program, which will open a grant cycle in the coming months. Survey data will assist in determining the priorities of the grant across its funding cycle, which will likely be distributed over the next five years.
• Virginia – Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation to enhance public safety and prevent gun violence. Among the package of bills, HB248 improves law enforcement coordination by permitting professionals from multiple agencies to jointly respond to behavioral health calls.