National Health Law Program

TIP #9. IN 2027 OBBBA WILL REQUIRE 6-MONTH ELEGIBILITY CHECKS FOR SOME GROUPS. Starting Jan. 2027, OBBBA requires 6-month Medicaid eligibility checks for some groups. This is bad policy: it burdens enrollees and state staff, increases procedural terminations, and creates costly churn. By Sarah Grusin. Learn about the CMS guidance with our latest Timely Tip: https://healthlaw.org/timely-tips-to-safeguard-medicaid/

Starting Jan. 2027, OBBBA requires 6-month Medicaid eligibility checks for some groups. This is bad policy: it burdens enrollees and state staff, increases procedural terminations, and creates costly churn. By Sarah Grusin
healthlaw.org/timely-tips-...

NHeLP Launches “Medicaid Repro Roadmap” to Advance Fair and Equitable Access to Reproductive Health Care - National Health Law Program Washington, DC — As Medicaid faces the most drastic cuts in its history, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) today announced the launch of its “Medicaid Repro Roadmap,” a comprehensive initiative ...

NHeLP is launching the Medicaid Repro Roadmap, a new initiative to strengthen and expand Medicaid coverage for abortion, contraception, and pregnancy care and advance a more just, equitable health system. Learn more! healthlaw.org/news/nhelp-l...

NHeLP Comments on 2027 Notice of Benefit & Payment Parameter NPRM NHeLP submitted comments opposing proposed changes to marketplace and ACA regulations. The Proposed Rule aims to enact sweeping changes to fundamental aspects of the Affordable Care Act, often in defi...

NHeLP submitted comments opposing proposed changes to marketplace and ACA regulations. The Proposed Rule aims to enact sweeping changes to fundamental aspects of the Affordable Care Act. healthlaw.org/resource/nhe...

Explainer: CMS's Deferral, Disallowance, and Withholding Actions in Minnesota CMS has taken unprecedented actions against Minnesota's Medicaid funding due to claims of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. This explainer provides a summary of the processes that CMS has used and how the ongo...

CMS has taken unprecedented actions against Minnesota's Medicaid funding due to claims of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. This explainer provides a summary of the processes that CMS has used and how the ongoing disputes around Minnesota's Medicaid funding may play out. healthlaw.org/resource/exp...

The National Health Law Program Celebration - National Health Law Program The National Health Law Program CelebrationYou are cordially invited to join the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) on Tuesday,…

Next week, the National Health Law Program will honor outgoing Executive Director Elizabeth G. Taylor and welcome Jennifer Cannistra as our new Executive Director. Join us as we celebrate Elizabeth’s impact and the next chapter of advancing health rights.
Purchase tickets here: bit.ly/4b4aaKU

Abortion is Health Care - National Health Law Program Abortion is a basic, safe health care service that should be affordable and accessible for all people. One in…

There have always been abortion providers, and there always will be abortion providers. Today, we celebrate everyone who makes abortion care possible. Learn more about NHeLP's abortion advocacy work at: healthlaw.org/abortion-is-... @keepourclinics.bsky.social #CelebrateAbortionProviders

The Administration’s Budget Proposal to Cut Community-Based Mobile Crisis Response Services in California Is Not Only Harmful, It Also Will Not Save Money Mobile crisis services are an in-person community-based intervention that provides critical de-escalation during a behavioral health crisis. Mobile crisis services can be provided in many settings, in...

Mobile crisis services are an in-person community-based intervention that provides critical de-escalation during a behavioral health crisis. By Alexis Robles-Fradet healthlaw.org/the-administ...

California’s Budget Proposal to Apply OBBBA Work Requirements to State-Funded Immigrants is Bad Policy The consensus among stakeholders throughout California is clear: the 2025 Reconciliation Act (“H.R. 1” or “OBBBA”) is bad policy for the Medi-Cal program. Earlier this year, the Governor’s Office expl...

The consensus among stakeholders throughout California is clear: the 2025 Reconciliation Act (“H.R. 1” or “OBBBA”) is bad policy for the Medi-Cal program. healthlaw.org/californias-...

NHeLP Comments on Florida 1115 Waiver Request – IMD Exclusion Comments from the National Health Law Program opposing Florida’s request for federal funding of mental health and SUD services in IMDs.

Comments from the National Health Law Program opposing Florida’s request for federal funding of mental health and SUD services in IMDs. By Jennifer Lav healthlaw.org/resource/nhe...

🚨 We’ve launched something new for our health care advocates! NHeLP has started our “Timely Tips to Safeguard Medicaid” series, a weekly, concise resource to help advocates navigate Medicaid work requirements and other implementation challenges under OBBBA. Each week, we share practical strategies to protect coverage, reduce wrongful disenrollment, and support people most at risk. Follow along on social media and bookmark the series here: 👉 https://healthlaw.org/timely-tips-to-safeguard-medicaid/ Let us know in the comments: What implementation challenges are you seeing on the ground?

🚨 We’ve launched something new for our health care advocates! NHeLP has started our “Timely Tips to Safeguard Medicaid” series, a weekly, concise resource to help advocates navigate Medicaid work requirements and other implementation challenges under OBBBA.👉 healthlaw.org/timely-tips-...

Timely Tip #8: Elimination of PTCs for income-based SEP applicants. Advocates should explain to Marketplace applicants that they must enroll during an open enrollment period or another qualifying SEP to keep PTC eligibility. By Jules Lutaba. https://healthlaw.org/timely-tips-to-safeguard-medicaid/

Timely Tip #8: Elimination of PTCs for income-based SEP applicants. Advocates should explain to Marketplace applicants that they must enroll during an open enrollment period or another qualifying SEP to keep PTC eligibility. By Jules Lutaba. healthlaw.org/timely-tips-...

Medi-Cal Housing Supports Medi-Cal covers four housing-related Community Supports for eligible individuals who are enrolled in a managed care plan. This fact sheet describes these four services.

Medi-Cal covers four housing-related Community Supports for eligible individuals who are enrolled in a managed care plan. This fact sheet describes these four services. Jasmine Young, Carly Myers, Abigail Coursolle healthlaw.org/resource/med...

“Qualified” vs. “Satisfactory” Immigration Status Chart The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) limits the availability of public benefits to only “qualified” immigrants. But not all qualified immigrants are eligible fo...

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) limits the availability of public benefits to only “qualified” immigrants. But not all qualified immigrants are eligible for full-scope Medicaid. By Sarah Grusin healthlaw.org/resource/qua...

Health Advocates Letter to Congress: Fund Health Care, Not Attacks on Immigrants and Communities At a time when health care costs are skyrocketing, Congress should be supporting communities by strengthening Medicaid, restoring and extending enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage, a...

In a letter organized by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the National Health Law Program, 141 health advocacy and allied organizations urged Congress to prioritize health care access over funding weaponized immigration agencies wreaking havoc in our communities. healthlaw.org/resource/hea...

NHeLP Condemns Administration’s Politicized Freeze of Medicare and Medicaid Funds - National Health Law Program Washington, DC — The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) strongly condemns the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ decision to cut off $259 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota and freeze en...

"When the federal gov't withholds funding/freezes parts of [Medicaid], it creates instability that hurts people. Families miss appointments. Providers question whether they can continue services. Communities lose trusted sources of care” Sarah Somers @nhelp.bsky.social healthlaw.org/news/nhelp-c...

Timely Tip #7: STRONG EXEMPTION POLICIES CAN REDUCE THE HARM FROM UPCOMING WORK REQUIREMENTS. Advocates should push states to proactively identify exempt individuals, apply longer-term exemptions, avoid narrow definitions, and use clear screening language so eligible people aren’t wrongly subjected to work rules. By Shandra Hartly https://healthlaw.org/timely-tips-to-safeguard-medicaid/

Tip #7: STRONG EXEMPTION POLICIES CAN REDUCE THE HARM FROM UPCOMING WORK REQUIREMENTS. Advocates should push states to proactively identify exempt individuals, apply longer-term exemptions, avoid narrow definitions, and use clear screening language. healthlaw.org/timely-tips-...

2026 Changes to Covered California: Federal Action Is Taking Swings at California's Marketplace The Trump Administration has taken aggressive federal action to gut the Medicaid program and Marketplace coverage across the country. There are numerous provisions from the Marketplace Final Rule and ...

In California, consumers who rely on Covered California for health insurance coverage are starting to feel the harm. Californians are paying the price for these harmful federal changes. healthlaw.org/2026-changes...

Doctor pointing to transparent letters that say AI.

HHS requested information on supporting innovation and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care. NHeLP's response highlights the abundant research that discusses how AI in health care can exacerbate bias and lead to improper, harmful decisions. healthlaw.org/resource/nhe...

Town Hall Meeting: The One Big Beautiful Act and What It Means for Louisiana's Families, Health, and Future The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) hosted a town hall at Dillard University examining the sweeping implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) for communities across Louisiana....

The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) hosted a town hall at Dillard University examining the sweeping implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) for communities across Louisiana. healthlaw.org/resource/tow...

US Capitol

At a time when health care costs are skyrocketing, Congress should be supporting communities by strengthening Medicaid, restoring and extending enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage, and ensuring access to preventive, sexual & reproductive health care. healthlaw.org/resource/hea...

State Implementation of Medicaid Work Requirements | Guidelines for Public Records Requests The template provides guidelines and suggested language advocates can use to submit public records requests to their states to obtain information relevant to implementation of “community engagement” o...

The template provides guidelines and suggested language advocates can use to submit public records requests to their states. healthlaw.org/resource/sta...

Graphic depiction of people with disabilities

The sweeping Medicaid changes under OBBBA will strain state systems, increase red tape, and risk harmful coverage losses, especially for people with disabilities. With rushed timelines and $990M in cuts, failures are inevitable. healthlaw.org/preparing-a-...

TIP #6 EXEMPTIONS FOR MEDICALLY FRAIL AND SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS PEOPLE. OBBBA exempts people who are “medically frail” or who have “special medical needs” from Medicaid work requirements, and states can still work now to maximize the utility of this exemption. Learn more about what states can do to identify and protect exempt individuals with our latest Timely Tip to Safeguard Medicaid. By Shandra Hartly https://healthlaw.org/timely-tips-to-safeguard-medicaid/

TIP #6 EXEMPTIONS FOR MEDICALLY FRAIL AND SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS PEOPLE. OBBBA exempts people who are “medically frail” or who have “special medical needs” from Medicaid work requirements, and states can still work now to maximize the utility of this exemption. healthlaw.org/timely-tips-...

NHeLP submitted comments opposing two proposed rules from HHS that would prohibit the use of federal Medicaid funding for coverage of gender-affirming care for minors and prohibit, as a condition of participation, Medicare and Medicaid hospitals from providing gender-affirming care to minors. In these comments, NHeLP urges HHS to withdraw the rules because they are inconsistent with federal law, are not based on the best available evidence and data, and will cause harm to the health of minors with gender dysphoria. By Héctor Hernández-Delgado, Abbi Coursolle, Catherine McKee, Alexis Robles-Fradet, Emma Parker-Newton, Skyler Rosellini, Wayne Turner https://healthlaw.org/resource/nhelp-comments-on-proposed-rules-on-gender-affirming-care/

In these comments, NHeLP urges HHS to withdraw the rules because they are inconsistent with federal law, are not based on the best available evidence and data, and will cause harm to the health of minors with gender dysphoria. healthlaw.org/resource/nhe...

Pregnant person holding an ultrasound image.

This FAQ shares how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will impact Medicaid enrollees who are or who become pregnant, with a specific focus on Medicaid work requirements and exemptions for people who are or were pregnant. healthlaw.org/resource/obb...

NHeLP Condemns Weaponization of Medicaid Data to Justify $1 Trillion in Cuts - National Health Law Program Washington, DC — The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) strongly condemns the administration’s release of Medicaid claims data under the guise of fraud prevention. It is a bad-faith effort to manufac...

NHeLP strongly condemns the administration’s release of Medicaid claims data under the guise of fraud prevention. It is a bad-faith effort to manufacture suspicion around critical public programs in order to justify the deeply unpopular $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts. healthlaw.org/news/nhelp-c...

This issue brief examines Writs of Mandamus in state courts and how they may be used to enforce and improve access to health care for low-income and underserved individuals. The brief provides background on the elements of a mandamus action and explores potential Medicaid-related claims that advocates may pursue. The brief is the first in a series of issue briefs that will detail state law alternatives for Medicaid enforcement. By Steven Schmidt https://healthlaw.org/resource/state-law-alternatives-for-medicaid-enforcement-issue-brief-1-writs-of-mandamus/

This issue brief examines Writs of Mandamus in state courts and how they may be used to enforce and improve access to health care for low-income and underserved individuals. healthlaw.org/resource/sta...

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) includes a new waiver authority for certain people who need home and community-based services (HCBS). This fact sheet discusses this new option as well as suggesting advocacy strategies for advocates in states considering implementing a waiver under this new option.  By Elizabeth Zirker, Jennifer Lav https://healthlaw.org/resource/new-1915c-waiver-opportunity-under-obbba/

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) includes a new waiver authority for certain people who need home and community-based services (HCBS). This fact sheet discusses this new option as well as suggesting advocacy strategies. healthlaw.org/resource/new...

OBBBA’s Medicaid eligibility & enrollment changes will create major red tape, raising the risk of wrongful coverage loss. By Shandra Hartly. Learn about how states can reduce harm via this week’s Timely Tip to Safeguard Medicaid: https://healthlaw.org/timely-tips-to-safeguard-medicaid/

OBBBA’s Medicaid eligibility & enrollment changes will create major red tape, raising the risk of wrongful coverage loss. By Shandra Hartly. Learn about how states can reduce harm via this week’s Timely Tip to Safeguard Medicaid: healthlaw.org/timely-tips-...

New Fixed Home Equity Caps and Retroactive Coverage Limitations Will Limit Access to Long Term Care This fact sheet outlines two changes from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," that will impact people with disabilities’ ability to access Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS): Home Equity Caps and Re...

New fact sheet: OBBBA’s home equity caps & retroactive eligibility limits threaten access to LTSS for people with disabilities. Includes advocacy strategies to reduce harm. By Elizabeth Zirker, Jennifer Lav & Brit Vanneman: healthlaw.org/resource/new...