The News
Daily coverage of the developments shaping health and human services. From policy shifts to program innovations, reports on trends-shaping mental health, addiction treatment, child and family services, autism and I/DD, disability support and long-term care, social services, corrections, juvenile justice, chronic disease management, health care systems, and more-helping leaders make timely, informed decisions.
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Washington State Simplifies Licensure For Kinship Caregivers Â
July 31, 2025On July 1, 2025, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) launched new licensing standards that make it easier for relatives to become licensed caregivers of children in DCYF custody. The new process has fewer forms for… -
Medicare & Medicaid Beneficiaries With Opioid Use Disorder Less Likely to Receive Behavioral Health TreatmentÂ
July 31, 2025Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD) tend to receive behavioral health care services less often those Medicare or Medicaid plus court-or probation-mandated treatment, according to a review of medical records. The researchers concluded that appropriate public health insurance… -
Illinois Implements Laws To Oversee PBMs & Ban Health Plan Use Of Prior Authorization For Outpatient & Partial Hospitalization Mental Health ServicesÂ
July 31, 2025Illinois has two new laws going into effect on January 1, 2026, that are anticipated to improve access to medications and services. One, House Bill (HB) 1697, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, sets new requirements on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)… -
Odds Of Food Insecurity Higher Among Adults Needing Surgery
July 30, 2025Adults who went to the hospital for surgery were more likely to report food insecurity (not having enough food) than people who went to the hospital for other reasons, according to a recent study. About 11.6% of those needing surgery… -
Colorado Medicaid Implements New Payment Model For Essential Mental Health Provider OrganizationsÂ
July 30, 2025On July 1, 2025, Colorado updated payment requirements for behavioral health provider organizations licensed as essential safety net providers (ESNPs) for outpatient services. Previously, the state’s Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) for the Colorado Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II… -
Vermont Creates New HCBS Payment Model For I/DDÂ
July 30, 2025The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL), in partnership with the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA), plans to launch a new payment model for home- and community-based services (HCBS) for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Starting… -
Texas Acts To Limit Liability For Foster Family Agencies
July 30, 2025On June 20, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation to limit the liability of foster family agencies. The stated intention of the legislation is to ensure that the agencies can continue to obtain liability insurance. Texas Enrolled Senate Bill… -
Health Insurance Premiums Consume From 4% To 19% Of Median Household Income By State
July 30, 2025The percentage of median household income spent on health insurance premiums ranges from 4% in New Hampshire to 19.6% in neighboring Vermont, according to a recent study by WalletHub. The national median is 7.8% of median household income spent for… -
Federal Medicaid Funding To Be Cut By $911 Billion Over 10 Years, Estimates Say
July 30, 2025The provisions of the federal 2025 budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed on July 4, 2025, are projected to cut federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion between 2025 and 2034. About 76% of the Medicaid… -
Executive Order Sets New Federal Policy On Homelessness & Civil CommitmentÂ
July 30, 2025On July 24, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order that shifts federal policy on homelessness and involuntary civil commitment. The order makes changes to the current approach toward vagrancy, housing policy, and behavioral health treatment. The order includes significant changes…
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