“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been working with states1 that elect to provide coverage to ‘applicable individuals’ as defined in section 1902(xx)(9)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and 42 CFR § 435.5512 to implement the community engagement requirement described in section 1902(xx) of the Act no later than January 1, 2027. We appreciate your leadership and the substantial progress states have made toward implementing Medicaid’s community engagement requirement. Across the country, states are modernizing eligibility systems, developing new data connections, training staff, engaging community partners, and improving the applicant and beneficiary experience. We recognize the dedication behind this work and appreciate your commitment to the Medicaid beneficiaries we serve,” and blah blah blah says a Friday HHS memo that eventually gets to the point of informing states that they can extend a six-month grace period to get all those “Medicaid gamers” off the public dole and putting on a tie to go to work.
Weird because we were told that there was no higher priority than avoiding a national bankruptcy when this bill was passed a year and a half ago – but set to kick in after the midterms.