NAMD Comments on Proposed Rule that Would Require Medicaid Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications
In December 2024, CMS issued a proposed rule that would require Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications.
How We Work
Federal Policy
A voice for Medicaid leaders in federal policy
As a state-federal program, federal decisions and actions shape what each state’s Medicaid program looks like and achieves. NAMD’s federal policy work ensures that Medicaid Directors are at the table in critical federal policy debates. We keep our members informed of the pulse of federal activity and elevate the perspectives of the members on the issues of the day, which are informed by our Policy Principles. The resources here articulate NAMD’s views on a wide array of Medicaid policy issues.
Letters and Comments
Read NAMD’s formal letters and comment responses, which share states’ detailed perspectives on key Medicaid policy issues.
NAMD Comments on Draft Templates for Documenting Compliance with Mental Health Parity Requirements
CMS recently issued a set of templates and instructional guides to document compliance with mental health and substance...
NAMD Comments on the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
The Administration for Community Living recently issued a Strategic Framework to guide a forthcoming National Plan on Aging.
NAMD Comments on Proposed Exceptions to “Four Walls” Policy and Changes to Medicare Reentry Policy
On September 9, NAMD commented on CMS's Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule.
NAMD Comments on Senate Finance Committee’s Generic Drug Legislation
The legislation would exclude most generic drugs from the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program's inflationary rebates.
NAMD Comments on CMS’s Interim Final Rule on the Medicaid Unwinding
On February 2, NAMD formally commented on CMS's recent Interim Final Rule on the national Medicaid redetermination process.
NAMD Comments on Proposed Changes to Federal Data Services Hub
On January 8, NAMD formally commented on CMS’s ACA Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025, which...
NAMD Comments on Proposed Policies Impacting Care for Dually Eligible Individuals
On January 5, NAMD formally commented on CMS's Medicare Contract Year 2025 proposed rule, which included several policies...
NAMD Comments on Proposed Rule Reinterpreting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
On November 13, NAMD formally commented on HHS's proposed rule reinterpreting Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which...
NAMD Comments on Proposed Long-Term Care Minimum Staffing Standards
On November 6, NAMD submitted comments on CMS’s proposed rule that would create minimum staffing standards in long-term...
NAMD Memo: Proposed Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities
NAMD’s memo and request for state input on CMS’ long-term care minimum staffing standard proposed rule.
NAMD Submits Comments on Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Proposed Rule
On July 25, NAMD submitted comments on CMS's proposed rule on the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP).
NAMD, ADvancing States, and NASDDDS Submit Joint Comments on CMS’s Access Rule
On July 3, NAMD, ADvancing States, and NASDDDs submitted joint comments on the HCBS provisions of CMS's access...
NAMD Submits Comments on CMS’s Proposed Access Rule
On July 3, NAMD submitted comments on CMS’s proposed access rule.
NAMD Comments on Proposed Managed Care Rule
In July 2015, NAMD submitted comprehensive comments on the proposed overhaul of federal Medicaid managed care regulations.
NAMD Request for Input: Proposed Managed Care and Access Rules
NAMD's memo requesting state/territory input on CMS' proposed rules on access and managed care.
NAMD Memo: Summary of Managed Care and Access Proposed Rules
NAMD's memo summarizing CMS' proposed rules on access and managed care.
NAMD Highlights Positions on Health Care Workforce in Response to Senate HELP Request
On March 20, NAMD highlighted our previous positions on the health care workforce in response to a Senate...
NAMD Comments on Proposed Rule that Would Align 42 CFR Part 2 with HIPAA
On January 31, NAMD submitted comments on a proposed rule that would align 42 CFR Part 2 with...
NAMD Submits Comments on Congressional Request for Information on Dually Eligible Members
NAMD highlights strategies to improve systems of care for dually eligible members.
NAMD Supports Redetermination Certainty in FY 2023 Omnibus Release
Congress’ end-of-year spending package includes critical policy for winding down the Medicaid continuous enrollment requirement.
NAMD Requests Certainty from Congress on Public Health Emergency Unwinding
Today, NAMD sent a letter to Congress requesting certainty around the timing and fiscal resources available to support...
NAMD Submits Comments on CMS’ Proposed Eligibility and Enrollment Rule
NAMD's formal comments on CMS' proposed eligibility and enrollment rule
NAMD Submits Comments on Mandatory Annual Core Set Reporting
On October 21, NAMD submitted comments on CMS' proposed rule implementing mandatory annual Core Set reporting.
NAMD Sends Comments on Long-Term Care to House Energy & Commerce Committee
NAMD's response to the House Energy & Commerce Committee's request for information on disability policy highlights ways to...
NAMD Highlights Opportunities to Address Mental Health and Substance Use in Letter to HHS
On August 1, NAMD sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services highlighting opportunities to...
NAMD Comments on Proposed Medicare Special Enrollment Periods and Savings Program Changes
On June 27, NAMD submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed rule, Implementing Certain...
NAMD Responds to CMS Request for Information on Minimum Staff Ratios
On June 10, NAMD submitted comments in response to CMS' request for information on establishing minimum staff ratios...
NAMD Calls on Federal Communications Commission to Give States Flexibility During Unwinding
On May 17, NAMD sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission requesting flexibilities around the use of...
NAMD Highlights Opportunities to Advance Access in Response to CMS Request for Information
On April 18, NAMD submitted a response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Request for Information...
NAMD and APHSA Call on Congress to Provide States with Adequate Flexibility, Time, and Resources Following the Public Health Emergency
On March 14, NAMD and the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) called on Congress to provide states...
NAMD Sends Comments on CMS’ Proposed Policies on Dually-Eligible Members
On March 7, 2022, NAMD submitted comments on CMS’ CY 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed Rule...
NAMD Requests that Congress Provide at Least 120 Days Advance Notice Before Unwinding the Continuous Coverage Requirement
On February 17, 2022, NAMD joined plan and provider organizations in requesting that Congress provide at least 120...
NAMD Comments on Medicare’s Proposed Coverage Determination for Alzheimer’s Drug
On February 9, 2022, NAMD submitted comments on Medicare’s proposed National Coverage Determination (NCD) of Coverage with Evidence...
State Associations Request Removal of EVV GPS Ban from 21st Century Cures Act Successor Legislation
NAMD joined our sister state associations in requesting that lawmakers remove a proposed ban on the use of...
NAMD Highlights Opportunities to Strengthen Behavioral Health in Response to Senate Finance Request
On November 12, 2021, NAMD sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee outlining policy recommendations to improve...
NAMD Joins State Associations in Requesting that Congress and the Administration Help States Prepare for the End of the Public Health Emergency
On October 21, 2021, NAMD, ADvancing States, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, and...
NAMD Highlights Opportunities to Address Social Determinants of Health in Response to Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus Request
On September 21, 2021, NAMD sent a letter to the Congressional Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Caucus outlining...
NAMD Urges Medicare to Not to Shift Cost of Alzheimer’s Drug to Medicaid
On August 11, 2021, NAMD sent a letter to CMS asking that Medicare not shift the cost of...
NAMD Releases Regulatory Priorities for Biden Administration
On July 19, 2021, NAMD sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator...
Federal Snapshots
Get quickly up to speed on NAMD’s policy perspectives with these targeted blogs and issue briefs.
Why did they do it that way? Home and community-based services
Medicaid: The more you learn
Why did they do it that way? Eligibility policy
Check out NAMD's latest issue brief to learn more about Medicaid eligibility policy.
Why Did They Do It That Way? Understanding Medicaid Policymaking
Medicaid: The More You Learn
Federal Policy Brief: Cross-Agency Collaboration to Address Behavioral Health Needs
Read NAMD's Federal Policy Brief to learn more about how our federal partners can support cross-agency collaboration.
Federal Policy Briefs: The IMD Exclusion
Our sixth Federal Policy Brief highlights the challenges caused by the "institutions for mental diseases" exclusion in Medicaid,...
Federal Policy Briefs: Re-Entry from Incarceration
Our fifth Federal Policy Brief highlights opportunities to improve continuity of care and health outcomes for people who...
Federal Policy Briefs: Behavioral Health Workforce
Our fourth Federal Policy Brief highlights opportunities to strengthen the behavioral health workforce.
Federal Policy Briefs: Youth Mental Health
In this brief, NAMD highlights federal opportunities to improve the youth mental health system.
Federal Policy Briefs: Crisis Response
In this brief, NAMD highlights federal opportunities to improve crisis response systems, including call lines, mobile crisis teams,...
Federal Policy Briefs: Behavioral Health Integration
In this brief, NAMD highlights federal opportunities to drive integration in the behavioral healthcare system.
CMCS Director Dan Tsai Outlines Policy Priorities in Health Affairs Interview
Read NAMD's summary of CMCS Director Dan Tsai's Policy Spotlight with Health Affairs.
How States are Leveraging Federal Dollars to Transform Home- and Community-Based Services
Read NAMD, NASDDDS, and ADvancing States' blog to learn more about how states are using American Rescue Plan...
Medicare Must Not Cost Shift Alzheimer’s Care to Medicaid
NAMD explains the serious cost implications of Medicare’s coverage decision on the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm for state Medicaid...
Recent Resources
NAMD Comments on Proposed Rule that Would Require Medicaid Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications
In December 2024, CMS issued a proposed rule that would require Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications.
NAMD Comments on Draft Templates for Documenting Compliance with Mental Health Parity Requirements
CMS recently issued a set of templates and instructional guides to document compliance with mental health and substance...
Strengthening Systems Serving Older Adults: NAMD’s Comments on ACL’s National Plan on Aging
NAMD Comments on the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
The Administration for Community Living recently issued a Strategic Framework to guide a forthcoming National Plan on Aging.
NAMD Comments on Proposed Exceptions to “Four Walls” Policy and Changes to Medicare Reentry Policy
On September 9, NAMD commented on CMS's Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule.
CMS releases guidance on new required services for incarcerated young people
NAMD's analysis of recent guidance on required services for young people who are returning from incarceration.
NAMD Comments on Senate Finance Committee’s Generic Drug Legislation
The legislation would exclude most generic drugs from the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program's inflationary rebates.
New requirements for all state and territory Medicaid programs
NAMD's Medicaid policy tracker highlights major changes coming for Medicaid through 2030.