National Health Law Program

NHeLP’s Together We Keep Care Alive campaign fights to ensure no one loses health care due to income, location, or faulty systems. Stand with us this Giving Tuesday. Donate: https://healthlaw.org/together

Hepatitis B Prevention in Jeopardy as Anti-Vaxx Committee Threatens Public Health - National Health Law Program The National Health Law Program and Democracy Forward Send Warning of Risks of Anti-Science Meddling in Vaccine Recommendations  Washington D.C. – A panel of ideologically-driven anti-science members ...

🚨@nhelp.bsky.social and @democracyforward.org are sounding the alarm. Anti-vaccine activists on a federal committee are pushing changes that threaten long-standing Hepatitis B protections for newborns and pregnant people. Public health depends on evidence!

Link: healthlaw.org/news/hepatit...

Doulas Provide Crucial Care to Mothers. Medicaid Cuts Could Change That.

Doula care has been shown to drastically improve maternal health outcomes, especially among Black and brown people. But right now, people on Medicaid are at risk of losing access to these important services.

From @nytimes.com, citing NHeLP's Doula Medicaid Project

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/n...

NHeLP’s Sarah Grusin warns that proposed public charge changes will make it harder for immigrants to access needed health care, calling it “another breach of trust.” Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-intelligence/health-brief/2025/11/18/half-americans-worry-they-cant-pay-care/

Half of Americans worry they can’t pay for care Plus: 20 percent report trouble paying for prescriptions.

The administration's new "Public Charge" policy puts even more strain on our health care system. “This is yet another breach of trust that will push families back into the shadows and deter them from seeking health care,” said @nhelp.bsky.social's Sarah Grusin. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-intellige...

Health care leaders launch the Future of Medi-Cal Commission to develop bold vision and concrete plan to modernize, protect Medi-Cal in the face of unprecedented federal cuts - National Health Law Program Health care leaders launch the Future of Medi-Cal Commission to develop bold vision and concrete plan to modernize, protect Medi-Cal in the face of unprecedented federal cuts At a pivotal moment for the 15 million Californians who rely on Medi-Cal, the Commission brings together a group of health care leaders to develop a 10-year roadmap for the program The Commission […]

California launches Future of Medi-Cal Commission to protect & modernize the program. Includes NHeLP’s Kim Lewis.

Got Your (Work) Number: The Intersection of Medicaid Eligibility Data Sources and Work Requirements Effective data matching will be an integral part of minimizing the harm associated with OBBBA's work requirements. This resource provides a brief overview of existing ex parte verification requirements and common sources used for ex parte verification, and emphasizes that those sources should be used with care to minimize coverage loss.

Effective data matching is critical to reducing harm from OBBBA work requirements. This brief explains ex parte rules, common data sources, and prevent ing coverage loss. https://healthlaw.org/resource/got-your-work-number-the-intersection-of-medicaid-eligibility-data-sources-and-work-requirements/

OBBBA Harms People with Disabilities: Limits on State Directed Payments The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes many provisions that will harm people with disabilities. In this brief, we explain how the bill limits State Directed Payments (SDPs), discuss how these cuts will lead to slower and fewer services for disabled people, and offer potential avenues for future advocacy.

OBBBA includes provisions that will harm people with disabilities by limiting State Directed Payments, leading to fewer and slower services. This brief outlines the impacts and advocacy pathways. https://healthlaw.org/resource/obbba-harms-people-with-disabilities-limits-on-state-directed-payments/

Public Comments on Model Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Individual Enrollment Request Form (CMS-10718) The National Health Law Program submits comments in opposition to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services decision to remove voluntary racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation and gender identity ...

NHeLP opposes CMS’s removal of voluntary racial, ethnic & SOGI data questions, and translated versions, from the Model Medicare Advantage & Part D enrollment form. These changes undermine equity, access & informed enrollment. By Dylan de Kervor: healthlaw.org/resource/pub...

Gallup poll: A record number of U.S. adults are anxious about health costs going into 2026 The West Health-Gallup survey finds almost half of adults say they’re worried they won’t be able to afford health care in 2026.

A new West Health–Gallup survey shows Americans are heading into 2026 more anxious than ever about health care costs. Nearly half worry they won’t be able to afford care next year, and 1 in 3 have already delayed or skipped treatment due to cost. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...

DHS moved to make it easier to deny green cards to people using benefits like Medicaid or food aid, sparking fear among immigrant families. “This move is designed to create confusion and uncertainty,” said Sarah Grusin of NHeLP, warning it will push families from needed care. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5610583-dhs-green-card-denials/

DHS moved to make it easier to deny green cards to people using benefits like Medicaid or food aid, sparking fear among immigrant families. “This move is designed to create confusion and uncertainty,” said Sarah Grusin of NHeLP. thehill.com/homenews/adm...

All 50 states applied for CMS’s $50B Rural Health Transformation Program under OBBBA—but it’s just 5% of Medicaid cuts and can’t cover existing costs. https://healthlaw.org/turning-lemons-into-lemonade-state-applications-underscore-the-limitations-of-obbbas-rural-health-transformation-program/

Shutdown's over, but no fix to premium tax credits. Marketplace premiums may double, pushing people out of coverage. OBBBA + new rules threaten access, By Geraldine Doetzer. https://healthlaw.org/the-federal-government-is-back-open-with-no-relief-for-individuals-with-marketplace-coverage/

New Public Charge Policy is "Designed to Create Confusion and Uncertainty" - National Health Law Program Today, the Trump administration proposed a rule that would end the Biden administration’s public charge policy, a reversal that – if implemented – will reignite fear and confusion for immigrant famili...

New Public Charge Policy is “Designed to Create Confusion and Uncertainty” - read @nhelp.bsky.social's full statement:

Upcoming Medi-Cal Cuts Don’t Apply to Immigrant Foster Youth, Nonminor Dependents, and Former Foster Youth Over the next two years, Medi-Cal eligibility and services will be substantially cut back for immigrant communities. This Factsheet from the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) and Children's Law Cent...

NEW FACTSHEET! Upcoming Medi-Cal cuts won’t affect immigrant foster youth, nonminor dependents, or former foster youth up to age 26, they remain EXEMPT and keep full-scope coverage. By Carly Myers healthlaw.org/resource/upc...

Laptop screen showing text blurbs in different colors and languages showing the word "Hello"

After the current admin’s March 1 order making English the official U.S. language, some agencies removed multilingual materials, even though the order doesn’t require it. “Executive orders don’t exist in a vacuum,” said NHeLP’s Mara Youdelman. www.newsbreak.com/the-fulcrum-...

OBBBA is Now Law, But the Fight is Not Over: Utilizing Existing State Resources to Protect SRH Coverage - National Health Law Program The enactment of this year’s budget reconciliation law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Act” (OBBBA), is already destabilizing the health care ecosystem with its drastic and confusing changes. Almost...

Expanding access to birth control should be a public health priority! Removing barriers to contraception improves health outcomes, reduces inequities, and strengthens communities 👏 #ThxBirthControl healthlaw.org/obbba-is-now...

OBBBA’s Unprecedented Attack on Medicaid and the Impact on Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care On July 4th, President Trump signed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) into law, enacting the most sweeping—and harmful—Medicaid cuts in history. The law slashes $990 billion from Medi...

The same voices opposing abortion are ALSO targeting birth control access. But we are NOT backing down. It is IMPERATIVE that policymakers protect access to birth control 🚨Millions of people rely on it for their health, futures, and freedom. #ThxBirthControl healthlaw.org/obbbas-unpre...

Birth 👏🏽 Control 👏🏽 Is 👏🏽 Health 👏🏽 Care 👏🏽 It’s safety, opportunity, and choice, and it’s under attack. This #ThxBirthControl Day, we’re fighting against misinformation and uplifting the truth: contraception changes lives!

🎧 It’s here! Listen now to @ebbirth Ep. #377 where I chat with Dr. Dekker about Medicaid coverage for doula care. Tune in at https://ow.ly/kl3R50Xo0jt
💜 #EvidenceBasedBirth #EBBirth #EBBPodcast

UMN School of Public Health Justice in Public Health Series: Reproductive Justice Denied: The Structural Violence of Recent Federal Health Care Cuts The University of Minnesota School of Public Health's Justice in Public Health Series invites experts to lead discussions on matters of health equity, exploring the myriad ways that unjust systems imp...

🎥 WEBINAR RECORDING + PRINCIPLES! NHeLP's Madeline Morcelle @reprolawyer.bsky.social joined @umnsph’s Justice in Public Health Series to discuss recent health care cuts through a reproductive justice lens + offer policy principles for inclusive, equitable reform. healthlaw.org/resource/umn...

🎧 TOMORROW! Don’t miss @ebbirth Ep. #377 — an amazing evidence-based podcast for birthing families & professionals. I’m honored to be the guest on this episode! Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite player. #EvidenceBasedBirth #EBBirth #EBBPodcast

🎧 PODCAST COMING NOV 12! Excited to join @ebbirth Ep. #377 to talk with Dr. Dekker about Medicaid coverage for doula care. Listen on your favorite podcast app or read the transcript at evidencebasedbirth.com/blog ! #EvidenceBasedBirth #EBBirth #EBBPodcast

🎧 PODCAST COMINGUP ON NOV 12! Excited to join @ebbirth Ep. #377 to talk with Dr. Dekker about Medicaid coverage for doula care. Listen on your favorite podcast app or read the transcript at evidencebasedbirth.com/blog
! #EvidenceBasedBirth #EBBirth #EBBPodcast

UMN School of Public Health Justice in Public Health Series: Reproductive Justice Denied: The Structural Violence of Recent Federal Health Care Cuts The University of Minnesota School of Public Health's Justice in Public Health Series invites experts to lead discussions on matters of health equity, exploring the myriad ways that unjust systems imp...

🎥 WEBINAR RECORDING! NHeLP Senior Attorney, Madeline Morcelle (@reprolawyer.bsky.social) joins UMN’s Justice in Public Health Series to discuss how recent federal health care cuts deepen structural inequities, and how reproductive justice can guide reform. Watch here: healthlaw.org/resource/umn...

Webinar - The Impact of OBBBA on People with Disabilities - National Health Law Program This webinar discusses the impact of OBBBA on people with disabilities, including: Work requirement exemptions and compliance for people…

🎥 WEBINAR RECORDING! Learn how OBBBA harms people with disabilities, through work requirements, higher care costs, and long-term care changes. Watch now: https://healthlaw.org/resource/webinar-the-impact-of-obbba-on-people-with-disabilities/

Fact Sheet: Georgia Medicaid Coverage of Sexual and Reproductive Health This fact sheet discusses the sexual and reproductive health services covered by Medicaid in Georgia. It is the first installment of a series of fact sheets that aims to educate Southern advocates about Medicaid’s important coverage such as STI testing and treatment, pregnancy care, certain cancer screenings, contraceptive services, and more. Georgia is the first of five states to be highlighted in this series.

New fact sheet! 📄 Medicaid in Georgia covers essential sexual & reproductive health services—from STI testing to pregnancy care. First in a 5-state series by Rachel Utz👇 https://healthlaw.org/resource/fact-sheet-georgia-medicaid-coverage-of-sexual-and-reproductive-health/

Webinar - Access to Care: Cost Sharing, Premiums, and Retroactive Eligibility - National Health Law Program This webinar will discuss changes introduced by OBBA to the Medicaid Act's cost-sharing, premiums, and retroactive eligibility provisions and…

WEBINAR RECORDING! This webinar discussed changes introduced by OBBA to the Medicaid Act’s cost-sharing, premiums, and retroactive eligibility provisions and their potential impact on access to health care services. healthlaw.org/resource/web...

Under OBBBA, health premiums will skyrocket—especially for older adults & low-income families. Some could face hikes over $50K/year, forcing many to lose coverage. By Geraldine Doetzer👇 https://healthlaw.org/buyers-beware-what-marketplace-shoppers-need-to-know-about-junk-insurance-this-year/

We all have the right to make informed decisions about our own bodies, including transgender and intersex people. Our liberation is tied together, and this Intersex Awareness Week we show up to encourage trans and intersex solidarity 🏳️‍⚧️💜💛#WhyWeShowUp #IntersexAwarenessWeek

⚖️ WEBINAR RECORDING! In case you missed it. Due process is key to Medicaid changes under OBBBA. NHeLP’s webinar series offers tools to fight work requirements, automation & other barriers. By Amanda Avery & Katherine DeBriere https://healthlaw.org/resource/webinar-the-role-of-due-process/