How Medicaid Reforms Could Deepen State Coverage Gaps

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, The American Journal of Managed Care® speaks with Laxmi Patel, chief strategy officer at Savista, about how the proposed federal Budget Reconciliation Act could reshape Medicaid coverage nationwide. Patel explains why states with large immigrant populations, rural hospital dependence, or provider tax funding could face the most immediate disruptions and what payers can do to prepare. Building on AJMC’s prior discussion with Patel on state-level Medicaid policy changes, this conversation explores how coverage loss, care deserts, and administrative burdens may evolve if these reforms move forward—and what proactive, state-specific strategies can help mitigate the impact.