Naomi Freel
Associate Director for Grassroots & Legislative Advocacy
About
Naomi is the Associate Director for Grassroots & Legislative Advocacy at the National Association of Counties (NACo), where she leads county-driven advocacy initiatives and oversees NACo's Federal Fellowship Initiative. In her role, Naomi works closely with county officials to advance federal policy priorities and build effective, member-first advocacy strategies. Prior to her current position, Naomi served as a Legislative Assistant and Legislative Associate on NACo’s Health and Justice and Public Safety portfolios. Before joining NACo in 2023, she was a research assistant at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Naomi holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Indiana University.
SBA issues new rule affecting local permitting in post-disaster rebuilding
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued an interim final rule that changes how rebuilding projects financed with SBA disaster loans following a Presidentially declared disaster interact with state and local permitting requirements.
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).
House passes legislation to increase the Crime Victims Fund
On January 12, the House passed the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act (H.R. 909) by a voice vote.
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.
House passes three-year extension of ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
On January 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits (EPTCs) for three years, sending the measure to the Senate as lawmakers work to negotiate a bipartisan compromise.
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.