State officials warn 14,000 may lose Medicaid after Oct. 1 noncitizen eligibility change

Health Care Authority officials told the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee that federal guidance makes a change to Medicaid eligibility for some lawfully present noncitizens effective Oct. 1, 2026, and that nearly 14,000 people are expected to lose coverage.

Trinity Wilson, Medicaid and CHIP director at the Health Care Authority (HCA), said the April CMS guidance “clearly stated that federal financial participation for Medicaid would cease October 1 for this population.” She told senators the agency plans to redetermine eligibility for that group prior to the October date and has sent translated notices in July.

Wilson said the 14,000 figure includes “roughly 1,700 individuals who are currently receiving long term care or developmental disability services,” and that the state received an appropriation to continue some long‑term care coverage under state funding for a subset of those individuals. “We are actively working to ensure continuity of care continues under state funded programs,” she said.

Senators pressed HCA staff about outreach and whether certain subgroups were protected. Wilson noted additional CMS guidance affected people eligible because of SSI and some American Indian/Alaska Native people born in Canada; the agency is working with CMS and tribes “to ensure that we are not erroneously removing eligibility for individuals who still legally qualify,” she said.

What happens next: HCA said renewal notices will begin in coming weeks and termination notices will go out between August and September, with the last Medicaid coverage dates for affected customers listed as Sept. 30 (effective Oct. 1). The agency emphasized translations and community outreach, managed‑care plan coordination, and a community connector volunteer program to help notify impacted families.

The committee did not take action; lawmakers asked HCA to keep the panel updated as renewals and outreach proceed.