Allow detailed analytics to improve the site?It's from us, Google and Vercel, and stays off until you accept. If you're signed in, it can link your visits across devices. Declining doesn't limit what you can use. Details & privacy.
The Record
152 records · 21 issues
Analysis · FQHC Talent
On September 29, Los Angeles County said an August lawsuit forces all Measure ER revenue into escrow until the case ends. The final budget counts none of it this year, and LA Health Services will draw $784.5 million in reserves.
Analysis · FQHC Talent
Several coverage changes for immigrant patients land on October 1. Maryland Medicaid ends coverage for some lawfully present immigrants, and Mississippi has proposed limiting CHIP from that date.
On November 9, DC's Department of Health Care Finance said that on January 1, 2027, work requirements start and retroactive coverage drops from three months to one for childless adults and two for others. The October 29 ruling in Massachusetts v. Oz widened the medically frail exemption and struck CMS's work impairment test in every state. The CMS administrator announced an appeal on November 3. The 26 plaintiff states, including DC, have six months of protection from CMS enforcement. On November 5, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and New Mexico sued HHS in Oregon over the work requirement itself. The rule stays in effect, and states must apply it by January 1, 2027. Indiana estimates nearly 140,000 people will qualify as medically frail. In Taylor v. Kennedy, the government's final reply is due December 2. Iowa's rule starts December 1. (as of )
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
CMS asked the court in Massachusetts v. Oz to uphold the work rule's frailty test. Enrollees with listed conditions must prove significant impairment to be exempt.
Louisiana Department of Health
Louisiana's health department told state budget lawmakers that 46,283 Medicaid adults facing work rules have no income and 11,778 earn too little.
San Fernando Valley Sun
Community clinics, L.A. Care and Los Angeles County agencies launched Keep LA Covered on September 17, 2026, as the San Fernando Valley Sun reported.
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
AHCCCS and community partners launched KeepMyAHCCCS.com to explain federal Medicaid work requirements. The rules take effect January 1, 2027, and could affect nearly 417,000 members.
Indiana Capital Chronicle
At a September 21, 2026 town hall, Indiana FSSA said it is still working with CMS to define who counts as medically frail, as the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported.
Missouri Independent
Missouri's Department of Social Services told the Missouri Independent it has not decided whether to accept self-attestation of medical frailty in 2027.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
At its September 17, 2026 Medicaid Advisory Committee meeting, Nebraska DHHS reported 7,280 expansion renewals processed under work requirements in July and August. Of those, 533 were denied, and 490 of the denials were for not returning requested information.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
NYC Health estimated up to 900,000 of the city's nearly 3.6 million Medicaid enrollees may be at risk under federal work rules.
Under USCIS public charge guidance issued August 18, officers may weigh any means-tested benefit, including Medicaid and CHIP, received on or after September 18, 2026. Before that date only cash assistance and long-term institutional care count. KFF estimates 1.4 to 4.1 million people could drop Medicaid or CHIP, up to 1.7 million of them citizen children. Federal agents blocked the emergency entrance at White Memorial hospital in Boyle Heights, diverting ambulances for about two hours. A La Clínica nurse practitioner in Oakland said about half of her patients missed appointments while ICE agents were at Highland Hospital. A Nashville court extended its block on Tennessee immigration checks in the Ryan White program. In the states' public charge suit, the states move for summary judgment by December 11. (as of )
CMS Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services
CMS said Basic Health Program payments will stop counting many lawfully present immigrants starting January 1, 2027. Permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants still count.
WHYY
WHYY reported that about 8,000 lawfully present immigrants in Pennsylvania could lose Medicaid on October 1. Refugees and asylees are among them, while children and pregnant or postpartum women keep coverage.
KFF Health News
More than 281,000 immigrants in nine states and D.C. Were expected to lose Medicaid starting October 1, as KFF Health News reported on September 30, 2026. Florida alone counted nearly 177,000.
DC Department of Health Care Finance
Starting October 1, 2026, DHCF says only green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants keep full Medicaid among adult noncitizens 21 and older.
CBS Chicago
As CBS Chicago reported on September 29, 2026, Illinois HFS said about 9,300 people lose full Medicaid when federal noncitizen rules start October 1. Their last day of full coverage was September 30, and Emergency Medicaid still applies.
MassHealth
About 7,300 MassHealth members lose comprehensive coverage on October 1, 2026, the agency says on a page updated September 24.
North Dakota Health and Human Services
From October 1, 2026, North Dakota HHS says refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees and trafficking victims no longer qualify for Medicaid.
Signal Cleveland
Starting October 1, 2026, refugees, asylees and other lawfully present immigrants without green cards lose full Ohio Medicaid, as Signal Cleveland reported.
Maryland's Health Care Commission took FQHC applications through November 9 for 2027 grants from a $25 million fund, paying $150 to $250 a month per eligible uninsured patient. Maryland's hospital rate commission put possible fiscal 2027 uncompensated care at $128 million. On November 5, the Massachusetts Senate passed a supplemental budget without the House version's 340B section. Texas lawmakers filed House and Senate bills on November 9 to expand Medicaid. Republicans still hold the Texas Senate 19 to 12. Georgetown counts 2.56 million fewer children in Medicaid and CHIP through August 2026 than in January 2025. On November 2, Colorado's governor proposed cutting more than $600 million in projected Medicaid spending. CMS deferred another $1.2 billion in California Medicaid payments. Pennsylvania and Indiana shorten retroactive coverage for applications from January 1, 2027, and Georgia has proposed the same. (as of )
California Legislative Information
Governor Newsom signed SB 125 on June 29, 2026, as Chapter 24, creating an MCO tax outside Proposition 35 for 2027 through 2029. It charges plans $8.85 per enrollee per month once federally approved or certified as permissible.
Louisiana Department of Health
The Louisiana Department of Health asked budget lawmakers to extend its four remaining Medicaid plan contracts. The extensions are projected at $16.08 billion for 2027.
Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho said it will seek penalties, paid to providers, when Medicaid managed care plans pay claims late, as the Idaho Capital Sun reported.
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau
Wisconsin's Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported a projected $322.4 million state shortfall in Medicaid for 2025-27. Spending on federally qualified health centers runs $58.0 million, or 27.1%, above budget estimates.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Iowa HHS proposed adding non-emergency medical transportation to the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan starting January 1, 2027. CMS will stop approving the waiver Iowa used to skip this benefit, and comments are due October 17.
Office of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Kentucky's Consensus Forecasting Group raised General Fund estimates by $997.9 million for fiscal 2027 and $708 million for fiscal 2028.
Voice of OC, September 1, 2026
CalOptima, Orange County's Medi-Cal plan, had about 760,000 members in July, down from nearly a million at its peak, as Voice of OC reported on September 1, 2026.
KFF
KFF's enrollment tracker, updated September 25, 2026, shows Medicaid enrollment fell by 5.1 million, or 6%, from June 2025 to June 2026.
On November 9, CMS announced $10 billion in second-year Rural Health Transformation awards to all 50 states. Each state gets a $100 million base, and CMS says the rest partly reflected state progress on plans. Texas gets the most, $281,976,026. Pennsylvania gets $190,730,492 and Maryland $168,410,112. New Jersey gets the least, $142,338,224. The CMS release names no health center. KFF Health News reported on November 5 that six states listed more than $60 million in consultant contracts, and Montana voided a potential $25 million consulting award. States are spending first-year money. Louisiana obligated about $208 million and Vermont allocated all $195 million. Oklahoma funds 25 community health workers at 18 federally qualified health centers. Ohio listed its health center association at $10,406,623, plus $1,836,462 for maternal care. Applications close in Kansas on November 13 and North Carolina on November 16. (as of )
New Mexico Health Care Authority
New Mexico's Health Care Authority named five organizations to lead six Healthy Horizons rural hubs. Allocations total $74.06 million, and Cibola General Hospital with Gallup Community Health leads Region 1 with up to $12.05 million.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS announced nearly $25 million for 132 small rural hospitals in 13 states through HRSA's Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program.
Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho's health director told a new rural health task force that the $97 million infrastructure grant drew more than 250 applications, as the Idaho Capital Sun reported.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS announced $169.6 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding for 91 Colorado grantees.
Bridge Michigan
Bridge Michigan reported that fewer than 20 federally qualified health centers are getting $1.9 million in Rural Health Transformation direct grants.
Office of the Governor of Delaware and Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Governor Matt Meyer named the three health centers sharing nearly $23 million in Rural Health Transformation funds.
Office of Governor Tate Reeves
Governor Tate Reeves announced 167 Rural Health Transformation Program awards totaling $104.1 million.
Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $54.6 million for 54 Rural Health Transformation projects. The HEART initiative gets $27.4 million for 30 projects and RISE AR gets $27.2 million for 24 workforce projects.
On November 6 the Nevada Health Authority posted a draft request to extend its substance use disorder waiver from 2028 through 2032, with comments due December 16. Santa Clara County's $470 million Behavioral Health Pavilion, with 35 youth beds and 42 adult beds, was set to open for service November 3. On October 26 the Governor announced $115.2 million in Homekey+ awards for 329 homes, and Proposition 1 bonds are estimated to fund 6,800 residential treatment beds when fully awarded. Payment is a weak point. Insurers rejected $4.1 million in mobile crisis bills from 11 counties since 2024. On October 6 CMS told states how to cover Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic services in Medicaid state plans. States need not pay a PPS rate and get no enhanced federal match, and clinics must keep care coordination agreements with FQHCs. (as of )
Health Resources and Services Administration
HRSA announced $89.3 million through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program for rural communities in 45 states and one territory.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA announced $247.9 million in grants on September 25, 2026, for addiction treatment, overdose prevention and mental health services.
County of San Diego Communications Office
San Diego County cut the ribbon on a $29 million substance use treatment and recuperative care center in National City on September 14, 2026. It adds 73 residential treatment beds and 16 recuperative care beds for Medi-Cal members and opens this fall.
Source NM
Committee chair Nick Boukas told the Legislative Finance Committee that 11 of 13 regional behavioral health plans are approved, as Source NM reported.
California Legislative Information
Governor Newsom signed AB 96 by Assemblymember Corey Jackson on September 27, 2026, as Chapter 497. Applicants for Medi-Cal peer support specialist certification no longer need a high school diploma or equivalent, but must still be at least 18.
VTDigger
The Brattleboro Reformer reported a $3.6 million state grant for a Brattleboro mental health urgent care center.
MO HealthNet Division, Missouri Department of Social Services
MO HealthNet announced it will drop precertification for psychotherapy for services on or after September 1, 2026. Individual therapy is limited to one unit a day and five a month, now counted per participant across all providers.
Office of South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden
Governor Rhoden announced 12 behavioral health clinic grants worth more than $13 million from Rural Health Transformation funds.
The Associated Press reported November 9 that California voters rejected Proposition 40, 52.8% no to 47.2% yes. SEIU-UHW said the 5% billionaire tax would have raised $100 billion for health care and education, and vows a 2028 retry unless lawmakers deliver a real solution. Texas lawmakers filed House and Senate bills to expand Medicaid. Republicans hold the Texas Senate, the Legislature convenes January 12, 2027, and it is unclear whether the governor-elect can order an expansion plan. Proposition 44 also failed, and certification is December 11. California Governor-elect Xavier Becerra takes office January 4, 2027. On November 6, San Diego's Measure B had 52.00% yes, and Imperial County's Measure N had 54.97% but needs two-thirds. Colorado approved Amendment 87, estimated to raise $2 billion a year for health care, schools and child care. South Dakota kept Medicaid expansion. (as of )
Los Angeles Times
The California Primary Care Association and five clinics sued SEIU-UHW and its president, Dave Regan, in federal court on September 18, 2026, as the Los Angeles Times reported.
Public Policy Institute of California
A PPIC survey of likely voters, taken September 4 to 10, 2026, found 34% would vote yes on Proposition 44 and 61% no. The measure would penalize nonprofit community clinics that spend less than 90% of revenue on program services.
Colorado Legislative Council, 2026 State Ballot Information Booklet
Colorado begins mailing ballots October 2, 2026, and Amendment 87 would replace the 4.4% flat income tax with graduated rates.
California Secretary of State, Official Voter Information Guide
California's official voter guide, certified August 10, 2026, says Proposition 3 would make the 2012 high-income tax rates permanent instead of letting them expire in 2031.
California Secretary of State, Official Voter Information Guide
California's official voter guide, certified August 10, 2026, says Proposition 43 would raise the vote needed for voter-proposed local special taxes from a majority to two-thirds.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
A coalition opposing Amendment I held a press conference September 29, 2026, and lists the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas among its members, as SDPB reported.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County supervisors authorized the Department of Health Services to contract with community clinics for the Measure ER uninsured program.
CalMatters
CalMatters reported on September 28, 2026 that Democrat Xavier Becerra promises to keep covering every Californian hit by federal Medicaid cuts but has not said how he would pay.
On November 18 a Maine federal court hears the hospitals' bid to block HRSA's 340B rebate pilot, starting January 1, 2027. The government and four drugmakers oppose it. NACHC and the National PCA Hub back it. West Virginia's Cabin Creek Health Systems says its drug purchasing costs in the pilot could rise from $100,000 to about $750,000. A bipartisan House bill would end the pilot. CMS's final 2027 Physician Fee Schedule requires Medicare-enrolled covered entities to report Part D 340B claims, first by September 30, 2027. On November 9 the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, representing 55 health centers, said it asked to help defend the state's 340B law. The Massachusetts Senate passed a supplemental budget without the House's 340B section. Mississippi's Supreme Court response to Novartis is due November 27. The Ninth Circuit hears Washington's case December 1. (as of )
U.S. Government Publishing Office
Reps. Jack Bergman and Don Davis introduced H.Res. 1558, which says health centers should keep one patient definition for all services, including 340B drugs.
HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs
HRSA said on September 8, 2026 it will update the 340B OPAIS registration, recertification and change-request forms on October 1.
HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs
HRSA posted approved 340B rebate plans from ten drugmakers, covering 21 drugs such as Eliquis and Jardiance, on October 1, 2026. Rebates start January 1, 2027, and Merck, Pfizer and AstraZeneca apply them to every covered entity type.
CMS / Federal Register 2026-20281
CMS published the final GLOBE Model rule on October 2, 2026, a mandatory Medicare Part B drug rebate test that takes effect November 30.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
AstraZeneca filed a notice of appeal on September 25, 2026, after a federal judge dismissed its challenge to Colorado's 340B contract pharmacy law with prejudice on August 31.
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, AbbVie Inc. v. Kennedy, No. 1:26-cv-01190
Judge Randolph Moss let NACHC, Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access and 340B Health join AbbVie's lawsuit over HRSA's 340B patient definition. NACHC and RWC-340B also joined the government's motion to dismiss.
Federal Register / CMS
CMS asked for input on the standard contract terms Part D plans must offer any qualifying pharmacy starting in plan year 2029. Comments are due November 23, 2026, and CMS asks how plans handle contract terms and claims for 340B patients.
Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Medicaid
Maryland Medicaid told FQHCs, hospitals, pharmacies and plans how 340B drugs will be marked on plan pharmacy claims under the new NCPDP F6 standard.
Local health taxes on the November 3 ballot lead in early counts. Santa Cruz County's Measure E, a half-cent sales tax worth about $27 million a year for services including community clinics from April 1, 2027, led 59.40% to 40.60%. San Diego County's Measure B, which sends 60% of a half-cent sales tax to health and family services, stood at 52.00% yes in the November 6 count. Imperial County's Measure N hospital parcel tax had 54.97% yes but needs two-thirds. On October 28, the Pajaro Valley Health Care District board voted 3-2 to send a 120-day closure notice for Watsonville Community Hospital's maternity and NICU units. San Diego County approved the next phase of its $20.4 million Safety Net Bridge Program on October 27. CMSP staff proposed cuts starting January 1, 2027, and no vote is recorded. (as of )
County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office, FY 2026-27 Supplemental Budget board letter
Los Angeles County's chief executive told supervisors that an August lawsuit forces all Measure ER revenue into escrow until the case ends.
The Pajaronian
At a September 22, 2026 district board meeting, Watsonville Community Hospital's CEO said it may close in six to 12 months without financial change, as the Pajaronian reported.
San Fernando Valley Sun
Community clinics, L.A. Care and Los Angeles County agencies launched Keep LA Covered on September 17, 2026, as the San Fernando Valley Sun reported.
Shasta Scout
Shasta County's health and human services agency closed its eligibility office at 1400 California Street in Redding on September 23, 2026, as Shasta Scout reported.
Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office
Stanislaus County supervisors adopted a $1.95 billion budget for 2026-27 on September 15, 2026.
Analysis · FQHC Talent
On September 29, Los Angeles County said an August lawsuit forces all Measure ER revenue into escrow until the case ends. The final budget counts none of it this year, and LA Health Services will draw $784.5 million in reserves.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County supervisors authorized the Department of Health Services to contract with community clinics for the Measure ER uninsured program.
The Business Journal
Fresno County adopted a $5.49 billion budget on September 14, 2026, and Tulare adopted $2.26 billion the next day, as The Business Journal reported.
CMS's final 2027 Physician Fee Schedule rule, filed November 4, sets the FQHC Medicare base rate at $213.12, 2.6% above the 2026 rate of $207.72 and above the proposed $212.91. It takes effect January 1, 2027. The rule also says group sessions fail the one-on-one rule for a billable FQHC visit, as does health coaching under general supervision, and same-day care coordination is still paid separately. FQHC non-behavioral telehealth stays paid at national fee schedule rates, and Congress extended that authority through December 31, 2027. CMS's ACCESS model now counts more than 160 organizations, including Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, and every Medicare-enrolled FQHC can bill its co-management codes G0676, G0677 or G0678. The GLOBE drug rebate model starts November 30 and leaves out 340B claims, and comments on Part D pharmacy contract terms are due November 23. (as of )
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS launched Investing in Health Outcomes, with 37 states signing a voluntary Medicaid Quality Pledge. A May 2026 CMS review found about 450 reporting requirements covering roughly 260 quality measures in managed care.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS said on September 15, 2026 that its ACCESS chronic-care model will add heart failure, COPD, substance use disorder and tobacco cessation tracks. The new tracks start in spring 2027, and 160 organizations now take part.
CMS / Federal Register 2026-20281
CMS published the final GLOBE Model rule on October 2, 2026, a mandatory Medicare Part B drug rebate test that takes effect November 30.
CMS Innovation Center
CMS's ACCESS participant list, updated September 15, 2026, includes Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in its cardio-kidney-metabolic tracks. The list names more than 160 participating organizations.
National Association of Community Health Centers
NACHC backed the CMS plan to keep waiving the in-person visit rule for health center mental health telehealth through December 31, 2027.
CMS Innovation Center
CMS listed 79 ACOs in the LEAD Model's optional implementation period, which runs September 15 through December 31. CMS says it is working with well over 100 ACOs for 2027, and ACOs have until mid-December to finalize.
Federal Register / CMS
CMS asked for input on the standard contract terms Part D plans must offer any qualifying pharmacy starting in plan year 2029. Comments are due November 23, 2026, and CMS asks how plans handle contract terms and claims for 340B patients.
Open enrollment for 2027 began November 1 with higher prices. KFF reported on November 6 that average benchmark silver premiums rise 13% and 11 insurers announced exits from at least one state. Mississippi's benchmark rises 23% as Cigna and Molina leave, and on November 9 Stateline reported UnitedHealthcare will sell short-term plans through the state's portal by early 2027. Michigan approved individual increases averaging 14.2%. Effectuated enrollment fell 12% to 19.2 million by February 2026. Covered California raised state subsidies from $190 million to $300 million, which cannot replace nearly $2.5 billion a year in expired federal credits. Florida's navigator grant is 90% below 2024. Comments are due November 27 on a CMS rule to verify income and status before subsidies start, and November 30 on IRS premium tax credit rules. Covered California enrollment runs to January 31, 2027. (as of )
CMS Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services
CMS said Basic Health Program payments will stop counting many lawfully present immigrants starting January 1, 2027. Permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants still count.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS said on September 22, 2026 that it canceled about 315,000 federal Marketplace enrollments covering more than 760,000 people as unauthorized. The cancellations took effect August 31, and CMS expects about $2.2 billion in subsidies returned.
ACA Signups
ACA Signups reported on August 28, 2026 that preliminary 2027 filings in Texas's individual market average about a 14.1% increase before subsidies. Community Health Choice seeks 27.18% for 180,124 members, and Sendero Health seeks 31.1%.
CMS
CMS awarded $10 million to 35 Navigator organizations in federal Marketplace states for plan year 2027 enrollment help.
Colorado Division of Insurance
Colorado's Division of Insurance approved 2027 individual-market rates on September 22, 2026, with an average 10% increase against a 15% national median.
Maryland Insurance Administration
The Maryland Insurance Administration approved 2027 rates on September 25, 2026, raising unsubsidized individual plans an average 14.6% and small-group plans 10.2%. Individual-market coverage fell to about 274,000 people from 294,000 a year earlier.
Xavier Becerra won the race for governor and will seek to reverse the Medi-Cal limits that pushed tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants off the program, CalMatters reported on November 4. He takes office January 4, 2027. Full-scope enrollment among undocumented immigrants fell 19% through June, against 5.5% overall. The current rules still apply. On January 1, 2027, members with unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS) move to fee-for-service and keep coverage, but ECM and Community Supports end for them. Providers that bill only through managed care cannot care for UIS members after December 31, 2026. Refugees, asylees and other affected immigrants keep full-scope Medi-Cal but must update immigration information by December 1. CMSP staff asked its board to approve cuts starting January 1, 2027, including emergency-only coverage for undocumented adults. No vote is recorded. (as of )
California Department of Health Care Services
DHCS dated a member letter October 1, 2026, telling refugees, asylees, parolees and other affected immigrants they keep full-scope Medi-Cal as federal funding ends.
Medi-Cal Providers
DHCS posted a provider notice September 29, 2026, opening a new web page for the move of UIS members from managed care to fee-for-service. Providers that bill only through managed care cannot keep caring for UIS members after December 31, 2026.
California Legislative Information
Governor Newsom signed SB 1099 on September 30, 2026, as Chapter 1009. It states that counties, cities and hospital districts may provide health care and other public benefits to people who would qualify but for a federal immigration-status bar.
California Department of Health Care Services
DHCS released version 2.0 of its UIS transition policy guide on September 1, 2026. About 2.7 million members are expected in fee-for-service on January 1, 2027, when ECM and Community Supports end for UIS members.
Public Health Watch
Public Health Watch reported on September 15, 2026 that worry and confusion persist after California moved its immigrant dental cut to July 1, 2027.
Analysis · FQHC Talent
Several coverage changes for immigrant patients land on October 1. Maryland Medicaid ends coverage for some lawfully present immigrants, and Mississippi has proposed limiting CHIP from that date.
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center agreed to an $850,000 fund to settle a class action over a 2024 ransomware attack that affected 97,488 people, with claims due December 8, 2026. NorthShore Health Centers in Indiana warned patients of a cyber incident detected August 10, and the Insomnia ransomware group claimed the attack. The Justice Department charged 15 defendants in Los Angeles cases citing over $1.8 billion in fraudulent claims, and its False Claims Act self-disclosure pilot with HHS accepts submissions through April 22, 2027. Texas HHSC proposed Medicaid recovery audits of managed care claims, and it may make some Medicaid providers revalidate before CMS's June 5, 2028 deadline. (as of )
U.S. Department of Justice
The Justice Department revised its Justice Manual on September 18, 2026, so False Claims Act cases rest only on binding statutes, regulations or contracts.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The HHS Office for Civil Rights explained when 42 CFR Part 2 lets state Medicaid agencies use substance use disorder records.
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Breach letters posted by Massachusetts regulators on September 18 and 25, 2026 show the Aesto data-archiving breach reached Ocracoke Health Center in North Carolina and Health Access Network in Maine.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The HHS Office for Civil Rights settled with Ambry Genetics over a 2020 phishing attack that exposed data on 225,370 people.
North Dakota Health and Human Services
North Dakota Medicaid's September 2026 provider newsletter says the federal PERM audit will review Medicaid and CHIP payments made from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Randomly chosen providers will get record requests in the coming months.
Partnership Health Center closed its Seeley Lake clinic in Montana on October 16, before the October 31 lease end it had announced. Community Health Alliance planned to close its North Valleys center in Reno on October 30. Penobscot Community Health Care is no longer pursuing an imminent Chapter 11 filing after Maine's $2.8 million award, but it is closing Adult Wellness Center as a separate practice, eliminated its outreach and enrollment team and keeps Seaport Dental Center closed. Services are also growing. Iliuliuk Family and Health Services opened Unalaska's first full-service pharmacy with a $400,282 Rural Health Transformation award. Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center added OB/GYN care in Nānākuli, and Guam's Northern Region center in Dededo reopened by appointment after Typhoon Champi. (as of )
WABI-TV
Penobscot Community Health Care froze this year's raises and 2025 discretionary retirement contributions, WABI reported.
San José Spotlight
Santa Clara County's Valley Health Center San Jose-Campbell opens September 28, 2026, as San José Spotlight reported, with primary, urgent, dental, OB-GYN and behavioral health care.
Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
Guam's public health department said the Northern Region Community Health Center expansion in Dededo is complete, with a ribbon cutting set for October 6.
Foro Noticioso Puerto Rico
Governor Jenniffer González Colón opened the new Vieques Health Center, as Foro Noticioso reported. It replaces the Susana Centeno facility that closed after Hurricane María and cost $85.6 million, including $48.3 million from FEMA.
Legacy Community Health
Legacy Community Health said on September 22, 2026 that it will hold the grand opening of its Acres Homes clinic in Houston on October 2.
Registered nurses at three Cottage Health hospitals vote December 8 and 9 on joining SEIU 121RN. Nurses cite pay transparency and living costs, some oppose a union, and Cottage urges a no vote. On October 14 an NLRB administrative law judge found that Innercare broke federal labor law during the 2024 SEIU-UHW drive. The judge set aside the July 2024 vote and ordered a new election, but denied a bargaining order, and the case goes to the Board. LifeLong Medical Care providers held a one-day strike on September 28. The California Primary Care Association and five clinics are suing SEIU-UHW, alleging it offered to drop Proposition 44 for union elections for 25,000 workers. SB 525 raises the health center minimum wage from $22 to $25 an hour on July 1, 2027. (as of )
Los Angeles Times
The California Primary Care Association and five clinics sued SEIU-UHW and its president, Dave Regan, in federal court on September 18, 2026, as the Los Angeles Times reported.
Berkeleyside / Richmondside
Doctors, nurse practitioners and therapists at LifeLong Medical Care, an East Bay health center, held a one-day strike on September 28, 2026, as Berkeleyside reported.
National Labor Relations Board
SEIU Local 105 filed an NLRB charge against Clinica Family Health, a health center in Lafayette, Colorado. The charge alleges bad-faith bargaining and the moving or subcontracting of unit work.
National Labor Relations Board
The NLRB certified that nurse practitioners and physician assistants at Delaware Valley Community Health in Philadelphia voted against a union. The August 27 tally was 9 to 7 against District 1199C, with all 16 eligible clinicians voting.
NLRB Region 21
SEIU Local 721 filed an NLRB charge on July 13, 2026, alleging South Central Family Health Center in Los Angeles refused to bargain in good faith.
HRSA's FY2027 Service Area Competition for 63 awards has Phase 2 due in EHBs by 5 p.m. ET on November 18. Phase 1 closed October 19, and the awards start April 1, 2027. HRSA extended funding for 272 health centers that must re-compete, through June 30 or July 31, 2027, and each must still apply. A correction added Sayre Health Center of Philadelphia, with an estimated $900,374 award. On October 20 HRSA sent revised Health Center Program forms to OMB, with comments due November 19. A proposed Grants.gov form would collect applicants' NPIs and CMS certification numbers, with comments due November 9. HRSA moves scope data to new Forms 5A and 5B on November 20. (as of )
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS announced $51 million to 28 health centers to improve dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and Down syndrome.
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University said its FAU/NCHA Community Health Center in West Palm Beach won an HRSA New Access Point award and is now a federally funded FQHC.
HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care
HRSA's Program Assistance Letter 2026-04, dated August 14, 2026, sets Electronic Handbooks scope module changes for November 20, 2026.
HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care
HRSA's Program Assistance Letter 2026-05, dated September 8, 2026, sets final changes for calendar-year 2026 UDS reports due in February 2027.
HAPPI Health
HAPPI Health said HRSA Administrator Thomas Engels and Rep. Dale Strong visited Huntsville on September 10, 2026, after its New Access Point award.
Health care added 42,000 jobs in October, above its 12-month average of 31,000, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on November 6. Hospitals added 16,000 and outpatient care centers 5,000. Shortages persist. In North Carolina's annual survey, 12% of RN positions and 16% of LPN and nursing assistant positions were unfilled. In Arizona, Valle del Sol, a primary and behavioral health provider, says it would hire 20 physicians and 100 therapists if it could. Training money is arriving. New York awarded $32.5 million to 34 facilities, including Sun River Health and The Chautauqua Center, and West Virginia awarded Charleston Area Medical Center more than $3.9 million in Rural Health Transformation funds. California's AB 1811 keeps areas on the January 1, 2025 federal shortage list counted in state programs until 2035. (as of )
California Legislative Information
Governor Newsom signed AB 1811 by Assemblymember Chris Rogers on September 27, 2026, as Chapter 549.
Office of the Governor of California
Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2571 by Assemblymember Heath Flora on September 27, 2026.
California Legislative Information
Governor Newsom signed AB 96 by Assemblymember Corey Jackson on September 27, 2026, as Chapter 497. Applicants for Medi-Cal peer support specialist certification no longer need a high school diploma or equivalent, but must still be at least 18.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on September 4, 2026 that health care added 13,000 jobs in August, against a 12-month average of 32,000.
Office of the Governor of New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $48.3 million in Healthcare Access Loan Repayment awards to 352 providers chosen from nearly 900 applicants.
The HTI-5 final rule, published October 28, takes effect December 28, 2026. It removes the AI model card duties from the decision support criterion for certified EHRs and cuts 14 of 60 certification criteria. On October 19 ATA Action told the FDA not to shift monitoring of generative AI medical devices to practices, since many small, rural and safety-net practices lack the staff. In California, SB 503 and AB 1979, signed September 30, take effect January 1, 2027. Clinics using clinical decision support AI must monitor it for bias, and licensed clinicians must keep independent judgment. SB 947 requires written notice when an employer relies mainly on an automated system to discipline or fire a worker, starting July 1, 2027. AAAHC's v45 standards add AI governance expectations for surveys on or after December 15. (as of )
Nextgov/FCW
CMS plans to use machine learning to work with providers on documentation errors, Nextgov/FCW reported on September 28, 2026.
California Legislature
Gov. Newsom signed SB 503 and AB 1979 and vetoed SB 903 and AB 2575. Both new laws take effect January 1, 2027. SB 503 requires clinics using clinical decision support AI to monitor it for bias.
Connecticut General Assembly
Connecticut's Public Act 26-15 starts taking effect October 1, 2026, and reaches every employer in the state, health centers included.
STAT
Penobscot Community Health Care, a health center system across Maine, already uses ambient AI scribes, STAT reported on September 10, 2026.
Housing Matters will pause its Santa Cruz Recuperative Care Center on January 1, 2027. It says Medi-Cal will no longer cover room and board under the new recuperative care model, and it puts facility costs at more than $600,000 a year. That same day, ECM and Community Supports end for members with unsatisfactory immigration status. Community Bridges is closing its ECM program for more than 200 members, and its CEO estimates that hourly rates starting January 1 cut pay from about $625 to $166 per member per month. Health Net ends Medi-Cal assisted living for about 3,500 members at year-end. On October 27, DHCS reported that Community Supports reached more than half a million members since 2022. The CalAIM 1115 waiver expires December 31, 2026, the renewal is pending, and DHCS says ECM and Community Supports continue. (as of )
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, State Demonstrations Group
CMS told DHCS on May 26, 2026, that California's request to renew the CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration, received May 11, is complete. CMS will post the application on Medicaid.gov for a 30-day federal comment period, the next step before any approval.
Office of the Governor of California
Governor Newsom signed AB 2348 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta on September 27, 2026. DHCS must publish model coverage standards for each Community Support and post ECM and Community Supports use data quarterly until January 1, 2032.
California Department of Health Care Services
DHCS released version 2.0 of its UIS transition policy guide on September 1, 2026. About 2.7 million members are expected in fee-for-service on January 1, 2027, when ECM and Community Supports end for UIS members.
On November 5, the Legislative Analyst's Office estimated a structural deficit of $18.5 billion in 2026-27, even though the enacted budget is balanced. The office says an AI-driven stock rally is propping up tax collections, and its Fiscal Outlook is due later in November. September revenue came in $2.9 billion above forecast. California's current MCO tax ends December 31, 2026. SB 125 would charge plans $8.85 per enrollee per month for 2027 through 2029 once federally approved, but doctors and health plans have asked the California Supreme Court to block it, saying it breaks Proposition 35. The California Primary Care Association and three other provider groups back that petition. In July 2027, Medi-Cal's asset limit for seniors and people with disabilities drops from $130,000 to $21,000. (as of )
California Legislative Information
Governor Newsom signed SB 125 on June 29, 2026, as Chapter 24, creating an MCO tax outside Proposition 35 for 2027 through 2029. It charges plans $8.85 per enrollee per month once federally approved or certified as permissible.
Office of the Governor of California
Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2571 by Assemblymember Heath Flora on September 27, 2026.
California Legislature
Governor Newsom approved AB 2161 on September 14, 2026, and it was chaptered as Chapter 209. People renewing during a six-month check who meet all other rules keep Medi-Cal until at least the end of the month their 30-day response period ends.
HHS published a final rule on November 3 that reads the Section 504 disability exclusion to cover gender dysphoria not resulting from a physical impairment. It takes effect January 4, 2027. CMS's rule ending federal Medicaid and CHIP payment for gender-dysphoria care for youth has been in effect since October 13, and on October 30 a federal court in New Hampshire heard four families' request to pause it. Illinois Medicaid will cover the care with state-only funds through state fiscal year 2027. In the states' Title X case in Maryland, HHS asked for summary judgment on October 23 and opposed the states' motion. Healthy Texas Women providers must recertify by December 31 or lose payment. (as of )
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
A federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a suit by the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association over priorities in the 2027 Title X funding notice.
Office of the New York Attorney General
21 attorneys general and Pennsylvania's governor sued HHS and CMS over the rule ending federal Medicaid and CHIP payment for gender-dysphoria care for young people. It covers patients under 18 in Medicaid and under 19 in CHIP.
Democrats won the House and Senate in the November election, and Jeffries named reversing Medicaid cuts and extending ACA credits as priorities. The stopgap P.L. 119-103 runs out December 11, and the mandatory Community Health Center Fund and NHSC still end December 31, 2026, 20 days later. No enacted bill extends the fund. The House Labor-HHS bill approved June 9 leaves it out, and the $750 million health center package the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced 45-0 on July 21 has not passed. (as of )
HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce
HRSA posted a forecast for HRSA-27-084, a Teaching Health Center GME round for new residency programs. It estimates $16 million, awards of $160,000 to $960,000, applications due about November 16, 2026, and a July 1, 2027 start.
Public dates in the 14 days after Oct 4, 2026.
Records published earlier that changed this week: a correction, a new status or a replaced source.