This month, stakeholders and advocates across the country are observing Medicaid Awareness Month. Organized by the Protect Our Care coalition, the month-long campaign is intended to enhance awareness of the many ways the Medicaid program strengthens American communities.

To that end, the coalition is launching outreach and education efforts on a different topic each week. These activities will culminate in a national Medicaid Day of Action on April 30.

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently published a list of frequently asked questions about the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Also known as the “Innovation Center” CMMI was created by the Affordable Care Act to test new ways to improve care and lower costs within Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Last week, Congress passed and the President signed legislation to fund the federal government for the remaining six months of fiscal year 2018 (FY18). The spending package, known as an omnibus, addresses several of Medicare Rights top priorities:

Last night, lawmakers unveiled draft legislation to fund the federal government for the remaining six months of fiscal year 2018 (FY18). Congress is expected to finalize the package this week in order to prevent a government shutdown when current federal funding expires at midnight Friday.

Congress recently passed and the President signed a sweeping spending bill that funds the government through March 23 and paves the way for a longer-term spending agreement. The legislation—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-123, BBA of 2018)—also contains a number of health care provisions important to people with Medicare and their families.

The Medicare Rights Center has analyzed the bill, with a focus on changes to Medicare and other programs serving older adults and people with disabilities that we support, those we oppose, and those we will be monitoring closely.

Last month, Congress passed sweeping legislation that funds the federal government for six weeks and paves the way for a longer-term spending agreement. While the bill also makes significant changes to Medicare and other health care programs, both good and bad, it excludes several important reforms the Medicare Rights Center supports. Today, we asked Congress to include these policies in essential spending legislation they are expected to consider later this month.

Together with Medicare and Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) builds health security for people of all ages. Repealing or undercutting the ACA without a meaningful replacement would jeopardize the health and well-being of millions. Accordingly, we are concerned that several recent proposals from the Trump administration could undermine the health law and destabilize the public and private insurance markets.

This week, President Trump submitted his annual budget request to Congress. The administration’s plan includes legislative proposals and detailed funding recommendations for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) which runs from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.

The Trump Administration recently announced that it will allow states to require Medicaid recipients to work, take job training, or do community service to stay eligible for the program. To date, ten states have asked to make this change, and the administration has given the greenlight to the first—Kentucky.

Funding for the federal government lapsed last Saturday after the Senate rejected a four-week funding measure. Most Senate Democrats and some Republicans voted against the bill. At issue for most was how to proceed on a permanent fix for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.