Federal Reforms to Medicaid Financing: What Counties Should Know (Part 1)
This webinar is available on-demand. If you have issues accessing the recording, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
This two-part webinar series will examine the vital role Medicaid plays in supporting county-administered behavioral health and primary care services. It will also explore how proposed and ongoing federal financing reforms could impact counties—fiscally, operationally and in their ability to serve residents.
The series will highlight key areas for county engagement and advocacy, offering insights on how local leaders can help shape Medicaid’s future.
Watch Recording
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Speakers
Blaire Bryant
Naomi Freel
Advocacy
Federal cuts to Medicaid: What counties should know
Medicaid is a joint federal, state and local program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals, including children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program accounts for over half of all federal funding to states and is the largest source of federal funding in state budgets.
CMS issues guidance on six-month Medicaid renewals
On March 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a letter to State Medicaid Directors with implementation guidance on six-month Medicaid renewals required under H.R. 1.
White House Executive Order establishes national substance use disorder response
On January 29, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) establishing the Great American Recovery Initiative, a new federal effort aimed at coordinating a national response to substance use disorder (SUD).
SAMHSA cancels, reinstates thousands of behavioral health grants
Late on Wednesday, January 14, the Administration announced that thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants that had been terminated just one day earlier would be reinstated.
CMS requires state Medicaid suspension upon arrest versus termination
Effective January 1, 2026, federal law now requires states to suspend, rather than terminate, Medicaid coverage when an individual is incarcerated.
County Countdown – Dec. 15, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.