Health Advocate Blog

Analysis and Commentary

June 22, 2026
Using State MACS/BACS to Monitor OBBBA Work Requirement Implementation
Miriam Delaney Heard
IntroductionIt will be a challenge to monitor states’ implementation of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This…
June 18, 2026
Regulatory investigations reveal systemic failures among Commercial California Health Plans in delivering timely behavioral health care
Abigail Coursolle
***This blog post was authored by Zakkiyya West, Legal Intern, with supervision from Abbi Coursolle, Senior AttorneyCommercial California health…
June 17, 2026
Made for this Moment: A Summer Reflection
Jennifer Cannistra
Last month, I joined hundreds of lawyers and advocates in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the American Bar Association/National Legal…
June 17, 2026
Celebrating 27 Years of Olmstead v. Lois Curtis & Elaine Wilson
Dania Douglas
Twenty-seven years after Olmstead, the right to live and receive services in the community remains worth defending. As Medicaid…
June 16, 2026
Electronic Asset Verification and Medicaid Access in Rural Communities
Shandra Hartly
The issues described in this blog post are explored more fully in a new NHeLP resource, The Red Tape…
June 8, 2026
An Advocate’s Guide to Medi-Cal Services: An Invaluable Tool in the Fight to Protect Health Care Rights in California
Héctor Hernández-Delgado
Despite the recent and upcoming federal and state cuts and threats to Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the program continues to be…
May 28, 2026
What Idaho’s ACA Proposal Could Mean for Medicaid
Geraldine Doetzer and Wayne Turner
Less coverage. Fewer protections. Higher costs. This is essentially what Idaho is proposing in a new waiver application, seeking…
May 13, 2026
Cutting Medi-Cal Dental Care for Millions of Immigrants Is Not A Sound Policy
Jules Lutaba
California is expected to cut Medi-Cal dental coverage for an estimated 2 million immigrants on July 1, 2026. Adult…
April 30, 2026
New NHeLP Issue Brief: Challenging Vaccine Mandate Prohibitions Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Steven Schmidt
Despite overwhelming evidence of their efficacy and ability to prevent negative health outcomes, a movement continues to grow throughout…