Kayla Holgash
Subscribe to Kayla Holgash's PostsKayla is a skilled, passionate health policy professional with experience covering health policy legislation, research, complex policy and data analyses, and strategic planning for leading DC-area institutions. Read Kayla Holgash's full bio.
Government shutdown continues as start of ACA open enrollment approaches
By Debra Curtis, Rodney Whitlock, Kayla Holgash, Katie Waldo and Maddie News on Oct 28, 2025
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
The US government shutdown has now lasted nearly one month, marking it as the longest full shutdown in US history, surpassing the previous record held by the partial shutdown of 35 days in 2018 – 2019. As the shutdown continues, pressure mounts to reopen the government due to the growing number of uncompensated federal employees...
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Health Plan Provisions in the House Reconciliation Package
By Kayla Holgash, Maddie News, Debra Curtis, Rodney Whitlock, Amy Kelbick, Leigh Feldman, Josh Jorgensen and Julia Grabo on Jun 17, 2025
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
On May 22, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed its reconciliation package, now known as H.R.1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by a 215 – 214 – 1 vote, advancing an agenda that extends and builds on tax cuts enacted in President Trump’s first term. The bill contains several policies impacting group health insurance...
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Food as Medicine: A Deep Dive Into Reimbursement
By Mary Moll Alexandre, Stephen Bernstein, Debra Curtis, Amanda Enyeart, Jayda Greco, Dexter Golinghorst, Kayla Holgash, Alan LeBlang, Sarah Raaii and Kerrin B. Slattery on May 20, 2025
Posted In Health and Welfare Plans
The topic of “food as medicine” has gained increased attention recently, driven by a growing recognition of the role nutrition plays in preventing and managing chronic diseases. However, marketplace participants continue to face various hurdles, such as funding and reimbursement, in launching initiatives and demonstrating their value and beneficial impact on global health and well-being....
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CMS Approves New York 1115 Medicaid Redesign Waiver
By Katie Waldo and Kayla Holgash on Mar 7, 2024
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
On January 9, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the New York State (NY) 1115 Medicaid waiver “Medicaid Redesign Team” (MRT). The MRT is a long-standing waiver in NY that has continuously evolved to improve the administration, structure and financing of the NY Medicaid program; enhance Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to services;...
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CMS Releases Proposed Rule: Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services
By Katie Waldo, Kayla Holgash, Rodney Whitlock and Debra Curtis on May 30, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
On May 3, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the proposed rule Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services. The aim of the proposed rule is to enhance transparency in payment rates, establish uniformity in data and monitoring and provide states with fresh avenues to encourage the active involvement of beneficiaries...
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Healthcare Preview for the Week of May 1, 2023
By Debra Curtis, Katie Waldo, Kayla Holgash and Rodney Whitlock on May 4, 2023
Posted In Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
There has been a flurry of activity in Congress focused on healthcare issues over the last two weeks. Committees in both the US House and Senate held hearings on legislation focused on increasing transparency and competition in the healthcare system that could have significant impacts for certain healthcare providers, healthcare plans and pharmacy benefit managers....
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