SUMMARY: The Trump administration’s directive to freeze nearly all federal grants, announced on Monday, alarmed state officials and health advocates, as it initially affected Medicaid funding for over 70 million Americans. By Tuesday, state access to crucial online portals for Medicaid funding was blocked, causing widespread concern. Although the White House later clarified that Medicaid was exempt, uncertainty remained regarding other critical programs. Congressional Democrats condemned the freeze as dangerous and unconstitutional, with lawsuits emerging against the order. The freeze’s implications extended beyond Medicaid, impacting various social programs vital to children and vulnerable populations.

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SUMMARY: Montana’s Republican Governor Greg Gianforte proposes significant changes to the state’s behavioral health system, which includes relocating a developmental disabilities facility, enhancing the Montana State Hospital, and establishing a new psychiatric unit in Helena. This initiative aims to improve service gaps and assist individuals transitioning back to their communities. A commission has allocated $300 million to enhance services for mental illness and disabilities, with about $100 million earmarked for various projects. Proposed plans include moving a 12-bed Intensive Behavior Center and creating a 16-bed “step-down” facility for patients ready to leave intensive care while addressing hospital infrastructure issues.

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SUMMARY: Dale Rice, 62, lost a toe to infection and accrued over $20,000 in hospital debt while uninsured. Living far from his tribe’s health resources, he struggled to access specialty care under the federal Indian Health Service. A new tribal sponsorship program in Nevada aims to address this gap by allowing tribes to purchase health insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. This initiative increases access to coverage for Native Americans and reduces financial burdens associated with uninsured care. While successful in providing assistance, concerns over expiring tax credits could jeopardize ongoing support for these programs, impacting health access further.

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The post A Program To Close Insurance Gaps for Native Americans Has Gone Largely Unused appeared first on kffhealthnews.org