State and Territory Leaders Convene to Address Medicaid’s Evolving Landscape

At a time of great intensity for Medicaid programs nationwide, we were thrilled to join almost 200 state and territory directors and senior leadership staff representing our standing affinity groups for Chief Financial Officers, eligibility leaders, Chief Information Officers and communicators at our annual meeting last week in Chicago. Reflecting current day areas of emphasis for Congress’ reconciliation agenda as well as emerging opportunities to partner with the federal government, the agenda featured sessions that explored strategic questions around the federal-state/territory policy landscape as well as strategies to improve the effectiveness and outcomes of managed care contracts, program integrity strategies and systems procurements. Report-outs from state and territory membership also illustrated the breadth and intensity of work on other core areas including integration of behavioral health services, services and supports for children and youth with complex needs, and maternal health.

All of us at NAMD are indebted to Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Director Drew Snyder as well as Special Advisor to Secretary Kennedy Dr. Caprice Knapp, Sara Vitolo (Anne Marie Costello was on a well-deserved vacation!) and CMCS leadership team members including Jessica Lee, Alice Weiss, Brent Weaver, Rory Howe, Karen Llanos, Melisa Harris, John Giles, Courtney Miller, and Jennifer Kostesich for offering insights and fellowship in of-the-minute topical sessions on federal fiscal actions, program integrity and policy frameworks for community engagement 1115 demonstrations. We were also privileged to be joined by Tom Engels, HRSA administrator, who gave remarks centered on plans for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. Medicaid’s role within MAHA is of great interest to our members and also to NAMD as we continue to partner on a cooperative agreement with HRSA that is focusing on connections between Medicaid and public health leaders.

Another profoundly meaningful aspect of the meeting was a panel representing three folks (Amber, Natalie, and Matthew) who receive health insurance through Illinois Medicaid, alongside long-serving Illinois Medicaid director Kelly Cunningham and Madison Loew of the Institute for Healthcare Delivery Design at the University of Illinois – the Medicaid program’s academic partner. Kelly commented that Illinois Medicaid intentionally refers to those served by the program as “customers” and emphasized the necessity of embedding a customer service orientation within all aspect of operations. Among other valuable feedback on experience of the program, customer Matthew remarked, “Medicaid is the check engine light for your health.” An invaluable image of the necessity of the program.