Healthcare (Medicaid)

signed · Alabama · House Apr 16, 2026

HJR 315: Expressing gratitude to the Alabama Congressional Delegation

This bill is a resolution that formally thanks the Alabama Congressional Delegation for their efforts to address long-standing issues facing the state's hospitals. It highlights the significant economic role of healthcare facilities in Alabama while noting challenges such as high rates of uninsured patients and recent rural hospital closures. The text encourages the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to adjust the Medicare wage index formula to better reflect labor commuting patterns in rural areas. Ultimately, the measure expresses gratitude for legislative advocacy rather than creating new laws or changing specific policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for policy changes to improve Medicare wage index, addressing rural hospital closures and economic challenges.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 588: Community Health Worker Certification Act; board created; core competency skills framework specified; training programs and certification procedures provided; Medicaid reimbursement approval sought

This bill creates a new Community Health Worker Certification Board in Alabama to oversee the training and certification of community health workers, who serve as liaisons between health services and community members. The legislation establishes a core competency framework for these workers and authorizes training programs through public K-12 schools, colleges, and other approved providers. It also creates a state fund to support the board and sets rules for when certification is required, including standards for using the certified title and disciplinary measures. Additionally, the bill requires the Alabama Medicaid Agency to seek federal approval to allow Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by certified community health workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes certification board for community health workers, creates training programs, and seeks Medicaid reimbursement to improve healthcare access and workforce.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 278: Influenza vaccination; to require private health insurance and the Alabama Medicaid program to pay or reimburse for influenza shots

SB 278 requires private health insurance plans and Alabama Medicaid to cover the full cost of influenza vaccinations administered by licensed healthcare providers, including both the vaccine and associated administration fees. This applies to all settings like doctor's offices, pharmacies, community clinics, and school-based clinics, without restricting where the shot can be given. The bill explicitly preserves individuals' and parents' rights to accept or decline the vaccine and does not affect existing school immunization rules. It takes effect on August 1, 2026, and applies only to influenza shots, not other vaccines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for flu vaccinations, expanding access to preventive care without cost-sharing, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Public Health

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 453: Breast cancer; to require coverage of breast reconstruction surgery

HB 453 requires all health insurance plans in Alabama - including private coverage, Medicaid, and public employee health plans - to cover breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy or cancer treatment. It ensures patients can choose their preferred surgeon (even outside their insurance network) and defines comprehensive coverage to include all necessary procedures for physical and psychological recovery. The bill sets rules for cost-sharing in private insurance and allows patients or healthcare providers to sue insurers who fail to comply, with enforcement by the Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner. The bill is currently pending in the House Insurance Committee as of February 12, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for breast reconstruction, expanding patient access and rights without restrictions per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 528: Alabama Department of Public Health; Alabama Dementia Network created, implementation by the department provided for, data collection and public reporting required

HB 528 creates the Alabama Dementia Network within the Alabama Department of Public Health to improve dementia care across the state. It requires the department to establish regional hubs providing clinical education, diagnostic services, family support, and referrals, while partnering with agencies like Medicaid, senior services, and nonprofits. The bill mandates data collection on program effectiveness and annual public reporting of outcomes and recommendations. It does not require new state funding, allowing support through existing federal funds, grants, or partnerships. The network directly serves Alabamians living with dementia and their caregivers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Alabama Dementia Network with regional hubs for clinical education, diagnostics, and family support; mandates data collection to improve public health care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 445: Relating to gross income; to amend Section 40-18-14, Code of Alabama 1975; to exclude difficulty of care payments from gross income

HB 445 amends Alabama's tax code to exclude "difficulty of care payments" from taxable gross income. Specifically, it adds a new exemption for payments received by individual care providers under Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver programs. This change directly affects care providers who receive these payments for services to Medicaid participants. The bill modifies Section 40-18-14 of the Alabama Code to ensure these payments are not counted toward an individual's state income tax calculation, aligning with federal tax treatment under 26 U.S.C. § 131.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes Medicaid care provider payments from taxable income, providing tax relief to individuals and providers under Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes Medicaid care provider payments from taxable income, strengthening provider compensation under public health programs without restricting access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Medicaid

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in committee · Alabama · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 231: Emergency medical transport providers assessment, sunset clause removed

HB 231 removes the expiration date for a quarterly assessment paid by emergency medical transport providers in Alabama. Currently, this assessment (based on providers' revenue from emergency transports) funds Medicaid enhancements for emergency services and ends on July 1, 2028. The bill makes this assessment permanent, requiring providers to continue paying it indefinitely. It directly affects all emergency medical transport providers operating in Alabama who currently pay this fee. The key mechanism is the permanent quarterly calculation tied to providers' prior fiscal quarter revenue, without a set end date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes assessment permanent to fund Medicaid emergency services, sustaining revenue for essential programs without tax increases on general population.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill makes assessment permanent to fund Medicaid emergency services enhancements, ensuring ongoing healthcare funding for emergency medical transport providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 143: Nursing facilities, privilege assessments and surcharge on each nursing home bed, sunset clause removed

SB 143 removes the expiration date (August 31, 2028) for three assessments on nursing home beds in Alabama, making them permanent. These include a supplemental privilege assessment, a secondary supplemental privilege assessment, and a monthly surcharge per bed. The bill ensures nursing facilities will continue paying these costs, and they remain fully included in Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. This directly affects all Alabama nursing facilities participating in Medicaid, as their reimbursement rates will continue to account for these assessments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves sunset clause for nursing home bed assessments, ensuring permanent tax revenue included in Medicaid reimbursement, securing stable funding for state healthcare programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill permanently includes nursing home assessments in Medicaid reimbursement, ensuring stable funding for facilities serving Medicaid patients without additional cost burdens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Long-Term Care Medicaid

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 145: Hospitals, private hospital assessment and Medicaid funding program sunset clause removed.

SB 145 removes the expiration date for a 6% tax that privately operated hospitals in Alabama pay on net patient revenue. This tax currently funds Medicaid payments to hospitals and was scheduled to end on September 30, 2028. The bill makes the tax permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for Medicaid hospital payments without a set termination date. It directly affects private hospitals, which will continue paying this assessment to support Medicaid program financing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves sunset clause for 6% hospital tax, ensuring permanent Medicaid funding via ongoing assessment on private hospitals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves sunset clause for hospital tax funding Medicaid payments, ensuring permanent support for Medicaid hospital financing and preventing funding cuts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 144: Emergency medical transport providers assessment, sunset clause removed

SB 144 removes the expiration date for a quarterly fee paid by emergency medical transport providers (like ambulance services) in Alabama. Currently, this assessment - calculated based on providers' revenue from emergency transports and capped at 5.3% - funds Medicaid enhancements for ambulance services and expires July 1, 2028. The bill makes this fee permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for ambulance service maintenance and expansion without a set end date. It affects all Alabama emergency medical transport providers who must report quarterly data to the state. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves sunset clause for ambulance service fee, ensuring permanent tax revenue to fund Medicaid enhancements for essential ambulance services, directly supporting ongoing fiscal management of public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermanently funds ambulance services via Medicaid enhancements, ensuring ongoing healthcare access and infrastructure support without sunset expiration.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPermanently funds ambulance services via revenue assessment, ensuring ongoing transportation infrastructure support for emergency medical transport.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid