The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to examine policy options aimed at improving transitions from child to adult Medicaid coverage for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Drawing on stakeholder interviews and analysis of 2023 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) data, staff highlighted persistent challenges, including coverage gaps during age-based… (Colocho, January 30, 2026) #Pediatrics, #Public Health

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss automation in the prior authorization (PA) process in Medicaid.  Staff presented context about the use of automation like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for PA, state and federal oversight, and the findings of a study about the role of automation in the PA process. Commissioners broadly are optimistic… (McClurg, January 30, 2026) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology

The Department of Education released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement sweeping statutory changes to the federal student loan system enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), also known as H.R. 1 (press release). The proposal restructures how much students and parents can borrow, phases out the Graduate PLUS Loan program, caps Parent PLUS borrowing, and… (Colocho, January 29, 2026) #Costs, #Health Equity, #Mid-Level Practitioners, #Public Health, #Workforce

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC)convened a session to discuss policy options to improve the effectiveness of state and federal oversight of Medicaid managed care. The session built upon a session during the December meeting where staff presented the findings of their research and interviews about state and federal oversight (Impact summary). Staff presented three policy options for the consideration… (McClurg, January 29, 2026) #Program Integrity