How We Work

Program Support

Assisting Medicaid leaders in building stronger programs

We help Medicaid leaders strengthen the core components of the Medicaid program and advance innovation that transforms health care delivery for millions of Americans. Because our programming is designed by Medicaid leaders, for Medicaid leaders, it is practical and actionable for all 50 states, DC, and the territories. The resources on this page will help Medicaid leaders identify opportunities to strengthen their program, deepen their knowledge of best practices, and build connections with other state Medicaid leaders.

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Medicaid Forward

Medicaid is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to our national recovery, particularly in three key areas where pandemic-challenges are greatest: mental health and substance abuse, access to health care for children, and supports for people in need of long-term care.

Through a series of three executive working groups titled Medicaid Forward, NAMD and its partners identified concrete, actionable ways that state Medicaid administrators can and are creating a healthier, stronger American future.

Medicaid Forward: Behavioral Health

Medicaid Forward: Behavioral Health identifies opportunities for action to address immediate and long-term mental health and substance abuse challenges emerging from the COVID crisis across communities, including for children, older adults, those with mental health and addiction diagnosis, individuals transitioning from prison, and those living with developmental or intellectual disabilities. It offers options for state administrators to explore and determine what makes most sense for their state.

Medicaid Forward: Children's Health

Medicaid Forward: Children’s Health identifies opportunities for action to address the physical and mental health needs of children and their caregivers in the wake of the pandemic. This is an escalating challenge Medicaid and the CHIP programs must address. Many of these children have experienced social isolation due to school closures and are enduring the secondary trauma of watching their parents and care-givers deal with the economic and health ramifications of COVID.

Medicaid Forward: Long-Term Services and Support

Medicaid Forward: Long-term Services and Supports focuses on four immediate opportunities to shift long-term care from a system that is institutionally-biased towards one that is person-centered and provides home- and community-based options. The report also outlines ways that the federal government, particularly CMS, must be actively engaged in this effort for it to succeed.

NAMD Affinity Groups

NAMD offers several affinity groups, bringing together Medicaid staff with similar positions and job responsibilities to connect, share best practices, and learn from each other.

Chief Financial Officers and Budget Leaders Affinity Group

Medicaid chief financial officers (CFOs) are responsible for stewarding the financial resources of the nation’s largest health insurance program. NAMD’s CFO Affinity Group convenes, connects, and supports these leaders in navigating the most complex challenges in Medicaid budget and finance.