
Social Needs Guidance for Medicaid Taken Down by CMS
Key Takeaways
- CMS retracted bulletins on health-related social needs, affecting Medicaid and CHIP services like housing and nutrition interventions.
- The retraction aligns with the Trump administration's stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and potential Medicaid budget cuts.
Information on health equity was removed by the federal government for both the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid.
CMS has recently
This health equity information primarily addressed health-related social needs (HRSNs), giving those who required assistance in health care an avenue to obtain that assistance. According to the
CMS stated in a new
This continues the Trump administration’s continued targeting of equity services and Medicaid. An
The Trump administration has also indicated that Medicaid could be receiving major cuts in the upcoming budget. President Donald Trump has
Criticisms of the rescinding of the health equity guidance have started from Democrats and experts in health care. In a post on LinkedIn, former chief medical officer of the US Medicaid program Andrey Ostrovsky, MD, FAAP, stated that “failing to finance HRSNs or [social determinants of health] with Medicaid will disproportionately harm patients and taxpayers in Republican states.”1 Sen Ron Wyden (D, Oregon) also criticized the move, stating that keeping Americans healthy relies on addressing underlying causes of health issues.
The future of the applications regarding health equity is unclear as it shifts under the umbrella of the Social Security Act. With the number of applications, it is possible that the applications being considered on a rolling basis could make the approval process longer, preventing patients from getting needed assistance in a timely manner.
References
- Tong N. CMS rescinds Medicaid’s health-related social needs guidance. Fierce Healthcare. March 5, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-rescinds-medicaid-health-related-social-needs-guidance - State waivers list. Medicaid. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/index.html - Tsai D. Coverage of services and supports to address health-related social needs in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. December 10, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib12102024.pdf - Snyder D. Recission of guidance on health-related social needs. March 4, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib03042025.pdf - Ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing. News release. January 20, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/ - Bonavitacola J. Trump endorses budget that would slash Medicaid funding. February 20, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/trump-endorses-budget-that-would-slash-medicaid-funding - Kapur S. Republicans can’t meet their own budget target without cutting Medicare or Medicaid, budget office says. NBC News. March 5, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-cannot-meet-budget-target-cutting-medicare-medicaid-budget-rcna195042
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