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This month’s health equity advocacy newsletter includes a template for submitting public comments on the recent guidance on Medicaid work reporting requirements, a webinar series on Medicaid and its connections to other issues, and a new video series on health care costs.
Weigh in: A template for public comment on Medicaid work reporting requirements
Our friends at Health Equity Solutions and Connecticut Legal Services put together a template for writing public comments on the federal government’s plans for Medicaid work reporting requirements. People who are deemed medically frail should be exempt from the new requirements, but the way the federal government plans to define medically frail is much stricter than anticipated. Public comments are an important opportunity to explain how these requirements would affect you, your clients, or your communities. The template offers tips on how to write a public comment and why it’s important. These public comments are due on July 31.
For more information on submitting public comments, and tips for writing them, Families USA has a guide.
Learn about Medicaid and its connections to other issues
A new webinar series, Medicaid Connections, is designed to show how changes to Medicaid and the health care system can affect different populations. The series is hosted by the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, Johnson Policy Consulting, and Anka Consulting, and it’s especially intended for those who are new to Medicaid advocacy. Topics include Medicaid’s role in maternal and infant health, children and youth with special health care needs, substance use, immigration, mental health and wellbeing, and family preservation. The webinars are free.
Medicaid Access Strategy Hub (MASH)
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) has created an online community for people to share updates and resources, spot trends, and ask questions related to the implementation of HR 1, the law also known as the “big beautiful bill.” The hub is intended for people involved in Medicaid advocacy, helping people enroll in Medicaid, and monitoring the implementation of HR 1. Registration is required. To learn more and request to join, click here.
>>> Learn more and request to join
Outreach resources about HUSKY and SNAP
The Department of Social Services has information about SNAP and HUSKY, including prescreeners to see if you will likely be subject to work reporting requirements, information about changes related to HR 1, and information on changes to eligibility for non-citizens.
>>> See the HR 1 information page
>>> See the information page about changes affecting non-citizens
Why does health care cost so much?
We’re hearing a lot about affordability these days, including health care costs. KFF put together some videos to help explain the issue in clear terms. The topics include the underlying drivers of health care spending, employer-sponsored insurance, and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on costs.