All States/Territories

A recent analysis by KFF found that despite over one-fifth of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths occurring in long-term care facilities, as of January 14, 2024, only 38% of residents and 15% of staff were “up-to-date” with their COVID-19 vaccines, which the CDC defines as having received the updated Fall 2023 vaccine. Reasons for the decline in vaccine uptake vary, including fewer federal initiatives aimed at increasing vaccinations, the end of vaccine mandates for healthcare workers, and declining concerns about COVID-19 risks.

On Monday, February 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated State Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program Vaccine Toolkit. This updated toolkit serves as a consolidated and comprehensive compilation of vaccination policies, including related flexibilities and coverage and payment requirements, for states to consider as they transition away from the COVID-19 public health emergency and implement Inflation Reduction Act coverage requirements. It also includes additional considerations states may make to enhance vaccination coverage and access, including provider qualifications, immunization registries, and payment considerations.

On February 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated instructions for states to implement policies for the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) in the Streamlining Medicaid; Medicare Savings Program Eligibility and Enrollment Final Rule (CMS 2421-F) in advance of upcoming compliance dates. MSPs, also known as Medicare Buy-In programs or Medicare Premium Payment Programs, help individuals qualify for assistance with payment of Medicare premiums, and in some cases, Medicare cost-sharing...

AARP recently released a report titled “Respite Services: A Critical Support for Family Caregivers,” exploring respite, its impact on family caregivers, and barriers to its use. In this report, AARP reviews federal and state programs that provide and/or pay for respite, including some examples of innovative programs that currently exist in communities. AARP also provides recommendations toward improvements in respite research and offers insights into how some respite programs are being scaled up.

In a recently published issue brief, the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) provides an overview of Medicaid managed care. This brief covers the basics of what Medicaid managed care is, how it has grown over time, and how states and territories make decisions around delivery systems. It also dives into the core components of operationalizing managed care, including procurement, rate setting, and oversight. NAMD also discusses how Medicaid managed care is continuing to evolve, looking ahead at the potential impacts of market dynamics and regulatory changes on the quality, accessibility, and cost of care for Medicaid members.

On February 14, The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) announced the release of its latest research brief on Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Elder Maltreatment. This brief explores the profound impact of social isolation and loneliness on the well-being of older adults, emphasizing their significant role as both risk factors and consequences of elder maltreatment....

AARP recently released an analysis examining existing state pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) and their characteristics, highlighting how specific federal prescription drug reforms could generate savings for SPAPs. SPAPs are state-run programs that help pay prescription drug-related costs for certain populations with limited financial resources, including older adults. Today, 13 states operate a SPAP to help older adults afford their prescription drugs, down from 23 SPAPs in 2004. Prescription drug reforms enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that will be implemented over the next several years will affect SPAPs and could lead to savings for the programs. While none of the law’s provisions directly address SPAPs...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided guidance during their recent All-State Call, hosted by the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS). CMCS announced that the 41 states and territories receiving Money Follows the Person (MFP) funding will be required to begin reporting on a subset of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measures Set, which was released in July 2022 (SMDL 22-003). Importantly, these states must report on all their section 1915(c), (i), (j), and (k) programs and section 1115 demonstrations that include HCBS services for major population groups, not just those programs that would enroll MFP participants. Reporting will be required in September 2026 for measures collected in 2025...

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued its “2023 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book,” providing aggregated information from last year on a full range of fraud, identity theft, and other consumer protection topics. The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network is a database that receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, industry members, and non-profit organizations. More than 20 states contribute data to Sentinel. Sentinel received 5.4 million reports in 2023; these included fraud reports, as well as identity theft reports, and complaints related to other consumer issues, such as problems with credit bureaus, banks, and lenders...

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) is hosting an upcoming ePolicyWorks National Online Dialogue designed to gather public input on how artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled hiring tools can be made more inclusive for people with disabilities, including those who may also be members of other protected classes. By engaging citizens and stakeholders in online knowledge sharing, the initiative aims to advance the employment of people with disabilities. This innovative approach reflects a change in how stakeholders connect and collaborate with the Federal Government and each other...