National Association of Medicaid Directors

02/18/2023

NAMD Executive Director Kate McEvoy talks about the Medicaid unwinding with Verywell Health.

The COVID-19 public health emergency is officially ending, and millions of people who were allowed to stay on Medicaid may lose their eligibility. Here's what you need to know if you're worried about losing coverage.

12/28/2022

members need a voice in the program. But agencies often struggle to authentically engage them. Here are five strategies offered by Medicaid members to better engaging them in the program. https://tinyurl.com/2p83nb8z

12/21/2022

The state-federal partnership is at the core of . Check out policymakers’ insights into how to build stronger partnerships – and how these partnerships can lead to better Medicaid policy: https://tinyurl.com/5fasuk37

12/16/2022

High-cost pharmaceuticals can offer hope to patients, but headaches for budgets across the country. Learn more about federal opportunities to address these challenges:

Experts at the NAMD Fall Conference discussed challenges with high-cost drugs.

11/22/2022

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services successfully implemented wide-scale nursing facility rate reform. Congratulations! NAMD 2022 Spotlight Award Winner. https://tinyurl.com/3wvyyp8n

11/14/2022

NAMD announces Spotlight Award Winners for leadership and innovation
The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), a bipartisan, nonprofit, professional organization that represents leaders of state Medicaid agencies across the country and the nation’s territories, recognized three states for outstanding leadership and innovation in Medicaid on behalf of the millions of Americans they serve.
The Spotlight Awards are given annually by NAMD to states that demonstrate the best of Medicaid leadership and illuminate the path forward toward continuous improvement for the program. The awards seek to focus on states making program improvements that have a demonstrable impact on their ability to serve those who use the Medicaid program and create healthier communities for all of us.
The 2022 Spotlight Award Winners are:
• The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for its successful efforts to implement wide-scale nursing facility rate reform including the creation of a value-based payment incentive directly linked to quality of care, staffing levels, and resident outcomes.
• The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for its critical efforts to implement new and creative ways to support their staff amid hiring shortages and Medicaid member enrollment growth.
• MaineCare in recognition of its multi-year effort to create a more transparent and equity-focused system to pay providers who in turn, care for the state’s Medicaid members.
Read more about our winners. tinyurl.com/4a5vjn58

11/14/2022

The largest gathering ever of Medicaid leaders from across the country and territories launched with the introduction of the association’s incoming executive director, Kate McEvoy. Meet Kate.

Kate McEvoy will take the reins of NAMD in January 2023. In this role, she will work with the Board of Directors to establish a post-pandemic vision for the association and to continue to support and elevate the interests, perspective, and voices of Medicaid Directors from every state and territory....

11/10/2022

"Can you imagine striving to be successful at your workplace with 30 percent of the positions unfilled? Medicaid Directors are being incredibly resourceful and creative in efforts to fill those positions, but it’s an incredibly challenging place to be.”

Our most recent NAMD blog considers how Medicaid can situate its work amidst the current state agency workforce realities. You can read the full blog here

In this blog, Interim Executive Director Dianne Hasselman shares reflections on three main themes affecting Medicaid.

11/08/2022

At our Fall Conference, we’re looking forward to hosting our incoming executive director, Kate McEvoy. She’ll join us in January and will bring her deep experience to the work of elevating Directors so millions can live their healthiest lives.

Kate McEvoy will take the reins of NAMD in January 2023. In this role, she will work with the Board of Directors to establish a post-pandemic vision for the association and to continue to support and elevate the interests, perspective, and voices of Medicaid Directors from every state and territory....

11/04/2022

“Any... major changes from current statute would wreak havoc on state plans. States operate best on a steady, consistent path, so keeping to the established assumptions made for budgets and timelines is critical.”

We are anticipating a considerable amount of activity occurring at the federal levels in the next several months. Read our most recent blog to see how Medicaid programs are situating their future work amidst these realities.

In this blog, Interim Executive Director Dianne Hasselman shares reflections on three main themes affecting Medicaid.

11/03/2022

“Kate will bring tremendous passion and expertise to NAMD. Kate will advance a strong state-federal partnership built on the unique role states have...” Tom Betlach, former Arizona Medicaid Director, now partner with Speire Healthcare Strategies.

(Washington, D.C. Oct. 17, 2022) –– The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), a bipartisan, nonprofit, professional organization that represents leaders of state Medicaid agencies across the country and the nation’s territories, today named Kate McEvoy as its next executive direct...

11/02/2022

“Medicaid programs ebb and flow with the prevailing elected leadership so it’s critical that elected leaders have the information needed to understand the complexities of this complex program.”

As Medicaid leaders plan for the next year of their work, they are taking into consideration the upcoming mid-term elections and the potential for leadership change. Read more about how Medicaid is situating their work amidst these realities in our recent blog.

In this blog, Interim Executive Director Dianne Hasselman shares reflections on three main themes affecting Medicaid.