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Many States Unsure How to Implement OB3
KFF and Georgetown University recently released results from their 2026 Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies Annual Survey. The survey of Medicaid program officials from 43 states showed that the people tasked with implementing the 2025 reconciliation law, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), still have questions about the guidelines and requirements.
“In addition to how to define medical frailty, states wanted additional direction in many areas including what qualifies as community service, how to calculate half-time school attendance, and what is considered a ‘significant relationship’ to qualify for the caregiver exemption,” the report states.
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AG Todd Rokita Withdrawals from Texas V. Kennedy
Attorney General Todd Rokita withdrew Indiana from the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit that challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funding or are conducted by federal agencies (29 USC § 794) The issue in Texas v. Kennedy is the potential weakening of the rights of people with disabilities to access services in community settings and reduce oversight of state programs that might otherwise push individuals toward institutional care.
By stepping away from this lawsuit, Indiana is affirming its commitment to upholding disability rights and fostering supportive environments for all citizens, especially those with disabilities.
| | SCHOOLS & EARLY CHILDHOOD | | | | |
ISHN Conference
The theme of ISHN 2026 is Champions in Action: Empowering Healthier Hoosier Kids. This conference offers a winning opportunity for school health professionals and youth-serving adults to share expertise and foster collaboration while earning free continuing education credits.
Consistent, caring relationships are the foundation of youth well-being, learning, and long-term success. Attendees will learn practical tactics and inspiring strategies to guide and support kids on their journey to becoming confident champions of their health and future.
Date: June 15-17, 2026
Location: Plainfield, IN Embassy Suites Hotel
Cost: FREE
| | FSSA Quarterly Financial Review | | |
Updates from FSSA -
On April 28th, the Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) held its quarterly financial review.
Medicaid related items included:
- FSSA is hiring 400 workers to manage more frequent eligibility checks and community engagement requirements.
- FSSA received zero member complaints during the transition of close to 300,000 Medicaid members into new health plans when the MDwise managed care contract was terminated at the end of 2025.
- HIP enrollment declined by 22.8% and Hoosier Healthwise declined by 20% from March 2025 to March 2026.
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HIP Community Engagement Requirements -
Implementation of community engagement requirements aka work requirements for HIP members was a big item on the agenda.
- Beginning January 1, 2027, Indiana Medicaid will enforce work requirements for new applicants and existing HIP members.
- Unless exempt, members and applicants must spend 80 hours each month in qualifying activities. These activities include working, attending school, participating in a work program, or volunteering.
- Exemptions include pregnancy, caregivers of children under 14, medically frail individuals and people in substance abuse treatment.
- Beginning January 1, 2027, work requirement compliance will be required for the 3 months prior to application.
- Indiana will conduct quarterly compliance checks, reviewing each month within the quarter.
- Redeterminations will take place every 6 months.
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Federal Medicaid Changes
Beyond the Basics recently held an national webinar discussing the coming federal changes to Medicaid eligibility and enrollment policies including community engagement requirements and more frequent renewals.
Key Facts organized as FAQs with key messages for consumers that mirror messages given after the pandemic protections ended (Medicaid Unwinding):
- Make sure FSSA has your current contact information.
- Look for letters from FSSA about any new requirements.
- Changes will not affect everyone.
- Respond to requests for information and renewal letters by the due date.
- Get help from an Indiana Certified Navigator.
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Insurers Leave ACA Marketplace
The departure of Cigna, following similar exits by Aetna and Baylor Scott & White, is expected to leave at least half a million people searching for new coverage or potentially going uninsured. In the article by Wendell Potter, he highlights that the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits has already led to a decline in ACA enrollments and a sicker, smaller risk pool. He warns these elements may trigger a cycle of rising premiums and further insurer withdrawals.
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MAC Communications
On May 4th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent out a memo to inform Certified Application Counselor Designated Organizations (CDOs) that the Find Local Help Upkeep Tool is moving into the Marketplace Assister Community (MAC) on August 18th. CDO leadership contacts will be onboarded into MAC sometime between May and August and should be on the look out for emails from FFMAssisterCommunity@cms.hhs.gov with important information and instructions.
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Mental Health Awareness Month Resources
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Many organizations have resources you can use to share about mental health topics, including NAMI, SAMHSA, The Jed Foundation, and FSSA.
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Signs Your Friend Might Be Struggling Emotionally -
Balancing all of life’s demands can be stressful for anyone. And on top of everyday challenges, going through certain transitions – losing a job, experiencing a break-up, questioning one’s identity, grieving a loved one – could challenge anyone. Friends are in a unique position to notice warning signs that someone they care about might be feeling more overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or sadness than is manageable.
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Youth Mental Health -
Youth mental health disorders are rising and there has been growing attention on the potential effects of social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technologies. NIHCM’s latest webinar examined what is driving these trends in youth mental health and explored actionable solutions to expand preventative care and access to mental health services for adolescents.
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Asthma Awareness Month Resources
More than 27 million people in the US have asthma. The American Lung Association educates about the importance of asthma control, increase access to medicines, and advocates for federal funding to help states reduce the burden of asthma. Many people with asthma live healthy, active lives — and effective symptom management is the reason why. It takes the right combination of asthma education and awareness, access to the right medications and programs like the National Asthma Control Program (NACP) — which delivers funding, data and support to communities nationwide. This month, find asthma awareness resources here.
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Wednesday, May 20 from 2-3pm ET
This webinar, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics, will explain the benefits SSI provides, how SSI differs from other Social Security benefits, the eligibility requirements for the program, and strategies to prevent individuals from having their benefits incorrectly reduced or terminated. Becoming familiar with the rules will help social service professionals assist clients with the correct information about application for and receiving benefits.
| | TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION | | |
E-cigarettes and Affordability for Youth
The Truth Initiative explains in a recent article that e-cigarettes have become increasingly affordable and accessible to young people. All largely due to declining prices, higher nicotine concentrations, and the widespread availability of flavored, high-capacity disposable products. This growing affordability, combined with stronger nicotine levels, raises significant concerns about youth addiction. Even though young adults may not be deterred by substantial price increases, teens remain highly sensitive to price.
The article highlights that as nicotine products become cheaper relative to income, they pose a greater risk of initiating and sustaining use among youth. To address this, Truth Initiative recommends public health strategies such as increasing taxes, establishing minimum pricing, and removing flavored and illegal products from the market to reduce youth access and prevent nicotine addiction.
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IHCP Membership
Total Membership decreased in March.
With 1,557,544 members, there were 32,031, or 2%, less members in April 2026 than in March 2026. Membership is dropping at a rate of over 1,000 members per day.
If this rate of disenrollment and coverage loss continued, there would be no IHCP members in about 4 years.
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