National Association of Medicaid Directors

🎉 Exciting Leadership Transition at the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD)! National Association of Medicaid Directors is thrilled to share that our organization has elected a dynamic new leadership team that will guide our critical work in Medicaid services nationwide. Effective April 1st, we welcome Melisa Byrd, Senior Deputy Director and Medicaid Director from the District of Columbia, as our incoming NAMD President. Key leadership highlights: 🔹 Melisa Byrd (DC) takes the helm as President 🔹 Cheryl J. Roberts, J.D. (Virginia) steps in as President-Elect 🔹 Lisa Lee (Kentucky) transitions to Immediate Past President Our new board represents leadership from across the United States, bringing together expertise from multiple regions. The board includes representatives from Wyoming Lee Grossman, New Hampshire Henry Lipman, Oregon Emma Sandoe, PhD, MPH, Nevada Stacie Weeks, Wisconsin Bill Hanna, North Dakota Sarah Aker, Arkansas Janet Mann, Alabama's Medicaid Director Stephanie Azar, Maine Michelle Probert, Maryland Ryan Moran, DrPH, MHSA, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Gary Smith. These dedicated public servants are committed to improving health care outcomes, driving innovation in Medicaid and addressing the complex health care challenges facing our communities. Congratulations to the entire NAMD Board on this important transition!

🤔 Did you know there's an organization connecting all 56 Medicaid programs across the country National Association of Medicaid Directors is sharing this document that outlines our unique position as the nonpartisan professional community connecting all 56 Medicaid programs across the nation? With Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) serving nearly 80 million Americans - including 37.6 million children and two-thirds of older adults and people with disabilities - our work coordinating between states and federal agencies is more important than ever. For example, we jumped into action during the Change/Optum cyberattack, connecting state Medicaid teams with federal partners to ensure people continued receiving critical care and medications.

Honored to join Vacheria Keys, JD of NACHC, Gerrelda Davis of the Louisiana Primary Care Association, and Meg Murray of ACAP for a panel during the phenomenal NACHC Policy and Issues Forum. Health centers are a mainstay of primary, preventative medical, behavioral health and dental care for Medicaid programs across the country. Cheers for Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP and all NACHC colleagues. National Association of Medicaid Directors

📢 Important Update: NAMD Responds to Proposed Rule on Anti-Obesity Medications. NAMD created a high-level summary of our comments on CMS's proposed rule regarding mandatory Anti-Obesity Medication coverage. Our analysis reveals fiscal and operational challenges: 🔹  Financial Impact: Projected annual costs range from $30-79M for small states to $50-126M for medium states, with one state already reporting $172M in FY2024 🔹 Implementation Hurdles: States need at least 2 years to properly implement changes, revise regulations, and update managed care contracts 🔹 Medicare Alignment Issues: Proposed timelines create coverage gaps for dual-eligible beneficiaries Our recommendation? Maintain state flexibility in AOM coverage decisions rather than mandate it. If mandated, Medicaid agencies need: 🔸 Extended implementation timeline 🔸 State control over coverage criteria 🔸 Aligned Medicare Part D timing Read our full analysis: https://lnkd.in/eZH-T5q2

🌟 Please join us in welcoming George Cruz as the new Medicaid Director of the Northern Marianas! With over 25 years of dedicated service in health care, George has been a passionate advocate for improving health care access and quality across the Commonwealth. Throughout his career, George has championed numerous health care causes, including youth advocacy, tobacco control, diabetes prevention, and substance abuse awareness. 🤝 Welcome to NAMD, George!

We're excited to announce Drew Gonshorowski as Nebraska's new Medicaid Director! 🌟 Drew has a strong background in healthcare policy, specializing in Medicaid spending analysis and healthcare microsimulation. His expertise in data analytics and building economic models to evaluate healthcare legislation helped inform Congress, news organizations, and other researchers. Please join us in welcoming Drew!

🎊 As we close out 2024, our Executive Director Kate McEvoy shares a heartfelt message of gratitude 🙏 for partners in the Medicaid community. Watch to hear her reflections. ✨Happy holidays from the entire team at National Association of Medicaid Directors!

Just released: Our Q&A with KFF's Rudowitz, Robin provides the key highlights from KFF's Annual 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey. National Association of Medicaid Directors was thrilled to partner with KFF on the 24th edition of this valuable resource. From enrollment changes to innovative state initiatives, get the expert perspective on Medicaid across the states. 💡

🎉 Join us in welcoming Rebecca Curtiss to NAMD! 🏥 Big news, Iowa! Rebecca Curtiss is stepping up as Iowa's new Interim Medicaid Director. Rebecca is a long-serving deputy with oversight of a range of Medicaid operations including program integrity and compliance, medical QI, LTSS policy and contracting. She has roots as a registered nurse in emergency, trauma and intensive care, and as an air and ground transport nurse. Welcome, Rebecca!

🌟 If you seek to spark inspiration and possibility in Medicaid managed care, check out what's happening in Ohio! Ohio Association of Health Plans Maureen Corcoran Read key takeaways from NAMD's Fall Conference Breakout Session on Exploring the Evolution of the State-Health Plan Partnership. Click below to learn more about one state's collaborative and innovative work with managed care, Ohio's Next Gen Initiative ⬇️