State News

Starting January 1, 2025, Minnesota will limit the monthly cost of insulin, asthma inhalers, and
EpiPens at $25, reports Fox 9 KMSP. The law will also limit the monthly cost for disease-
specific supplies like insulin pens and test strips at $50. The measure applies to all state-
regulated health plans and is expected to save some families thousands of dollars annually.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients now have access to affordable health
insurance and comprehensive health benefits, reports Fox 5 Vegas. DACA recipients must
meet the standard Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s requirements to qualify. Open Enrollment
continues until January 1, 2025, with coverage beginning February 1, 2025.

Starting January 1, California law will prohibit the reporting of medical debt to credit agencies,
reports CalMatters. Although it does not erase debt, the law shields a patient’s credit score
from being negatively impacted by medical expenses. Similar measures have been enacted in
a handful of other states, including New York and Colorado.

Health care spending increased 15% from 2021 to 2022, reaching $6,813 among non-elderly
Minnesota adults with private health insurance, reports The Minnesota Star Tribune. The data
indicates that rising prices, not increased utilization, is the driving force behind the surge. In
response, the state has enacted measures like creating a prescription drug affordability board
and requiring price transparency from manufacturers. These initiatives are still in early stages,
but they aim to curb excessive health care costs.

Colorado launched a new tool to help residents compare hospital prices by procedure,
reports the Denver Post. Survey findings released in August found that 69% of surveyed
Coloradans who needed hospital care attempted to find out what it would cost them in
advance, but only about 43% succeeded. Early data shows modest public engagement with
these transparency initiatives, which complement existing state-led consumer protections such
as requiring hospitals to post the price of services in areas accessible to patients.

Mississippi is projected to forfeit $1 billion in federal Medicaid funds by early 2025, reports
the SunHerald. The state remains one of 10 that have not adopted Medicaid expansion under
the Affordable Care Act, foregoing enhanced federal subsidies. The expiration of COVID-era
insurance subsidies in 2025 may further increase premiums and reduce coverage access.
Advocates warn that inaction could exacerbate the state’s health care coverage gaps and
financial strain on hospitals.

Traditional healing practices are now covered under Medicaid in Arizona, reports Cronkite
News. The initial demonstration amendment submitted to include traditional healing practices
under Medicaid was denied in 2015; however, recent changes to amendment requirements
championed under the Biden administration provide states the opportunity to incorporate novel
initiatives to reduce health disparities by integrating culturally significant care for Native
Americans. Tribal leaders believe this expansion will improve health outcomes by incorporating
trusted ancestral practices.

Connecticut’s medical debt relief program will cancel $30 million in debt for 23,000 residents,
reports the CT Mirror. Eligible individuals earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level or have
medical debt exceeding 5% of their income. This marks the first phase of a broader plan to
forgive $650 million in debt by 2026. Affected residents will receive notification letters
explaining the debt cancellation beginning December 23.

Colorado’s health care spending rose 139% from 2013 to 2022 to nearly $30 billion,
reports Public News Service. Driven by rising private health insurance premiums, higher out-
of-pocket costs, and prescription drug costs. Between 2013 and 2022, the amount of medicine
prescribed to patients increased by 10%, while drug costs rose by 151%. Simultaneously, out-
of-pocket expenses for residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage increased approximately
80%, while the cost of outpatient visits increased by approximately 51%.