Author

Image of Blaire-Bryant.jpg

Blaire Bryant

Legislative Director, Health | Large Urban County Caucus
Naomi Freel

Naomi Freel

Legislative Associate

Upcoming Events

Related News

As Congress considers changes to the nation’s health care system, NACo urges them to consider implications of reforms that would merely shift costs to counties. Counties stand ready to work with Congress to identify strategies to strengthen our nation’s health system and provide high-quality coverage and access to care for all of their residents while being responsible stewards of local taxpayer dollars.

Download Report on Medicaid and Counties

Medicaid 101

Established in 1965, Medicaid is a federal entitlement program paid for by taxpayers that provides health and long-term care insurance to low-income families and individuals. Medicaid operates and is jointly financed as a partnership between federal, state and local governments. 

Tagged In:

Related News

539281953
Advocacy

MAHA Commission releases federal strategy outlining next steps in childhood chronic disease prevention

On September 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s new Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, following the earlier MAHA Report published in May 2025. The strategy builds on the assessment’s findings regarding four key drivers of childhood chronic disease: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity and chronic stress and overmedicalization.

Ambulance of emergency medical service on road
Advocacy

CMS releases details on the Rural Health Transformation Program

On September 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional details on the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, overviewing program goals, requirements and timelines. 

Medical motivation, doctor success and hands of team of hospital workers stacked for healthcare
Advocacy

Counties encouraged to apply for newly established HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee

On August 22, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the creation of a new Healthcare Advisory Committee, aimed at providing expert guidance on pressing healthcare challenges. This new committee represents an important opportunity for counties to have a voice in shaping federal healthcare policy.

Keli McLoyd, director of Philadelphia’s overdose response unit, speaks to Annual Conference attendees July 11. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

Engaging people with ‘lived experience’ helps build substance use disorder programming

Philadelphia’s Keli McLoyd noted to NACo's Health Steering Committee that increased harm reduction initiatives have led to fewer drug overdose deaths. 

Doctor conducting exam on a teen
Advocacy

CMS announces grant awards to improve the continuity of care for justice-involved individuals

On September 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $106.5 million in state planning grants aimed at improving healthcare continuity for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

bike
Advocacy

SAMHSA releases new 2024 data on rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the U.S.

On July 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the findings of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which provides data on rates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state and local level. 

Upcoming Events

Image of GettyImages-1182619271.jpg
Webinar

Innovative Health Plan Strategies for County Governments

Please join Craig Ulrich, Surest Key Account Executive with United Healthcare, to explore alternative health plan approaches that prioritize price transparency and promote the use of high-value providers, including models like the Surest Health Plan.