Secretary Azar Speaks to National Association of Medicaid Directors

On November 13, Secretary Alex Azar of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided  a keynote to the annual conference of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD). In his speech, Secretary Azar discussed the goals of strengthening the state/federal partnership of Medicaid, the need and desire of this Administration to invest in innovation, the focus on the opioids epidemic, and the encouragement of community engagement (work requirements) within Medicaid eligibility requirements. The Secretary ended his speech with a focus on mental illness and an announcement of a new State Medicaid Director’s Letter on the ability to work around the institutions for medical disease (IMD) exclusion that has historically prevented Medicaid from paying for mental health services in an institution with over 16 beds.

To read the full speech click here.