Healthcare DIVE September 23, 2021
Medicaid directors face myriad challenges going into the fall, most of which are related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They’re working to encourage recipients to get a coronavirus vaccine, turning to behavioral and population health programs more in need now than ever and preparing for the eventual end to the public health emergency.
The challenges come amid record enrollment and a pledge from President Joe Biden’s administration to do more to get people on the rolls by expanding coverage in areas like postpartum services and in the dozen of holdout states that have not expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act.
Lagging COVID-19 vaccination rates among the Medicaid population remain the biggest challenge right now, said Dave Richard, deputy secretary...