Press Release: 8/12/2026

Governor Healey Launches Statewide Campaign to Help MassHealth Members Keep Their Health Coverage After Trump Cuts

 



Outreach campaign will help eligible residents navigate burdensome, new Medicaid requirements imposed by President Trump's law



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



8/11/2026



HAVERHILL — Governor Maura Healey today announced a coordinated statewide effort to help hundreds of thousands of MassHealth members understand and navigate new federal Medicaid requirements that will take effect over the coming months. Working alongside the Legislature, Health Care For All, and nearly 50 community-based organizations, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is launching an extensive outreach and education campaign to help eligible residents maintain their health coverage. 



The Governor made the announcement at Make It Haverhill, a workforce and digital access program of Community Action, Inc., which is one of the community partners participating in the outreach campaign.



“President Trump is trying to kick millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of people here in Massachusetts off their health care coverage—not because they no longer qualify, but because of unnecessary paperwork and confusing new requirements,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These are working families who rely on this program to afford their health care.  But we have their backs. We’re going to be here every step of the way to help people understand these changes and what they need to do to keep their coverage.”



“We are committed to helping eligible Massachusetts residents keep their health coverage,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Families have enough to worry about without navigating confusing new federal requirements or wondering whether paperwork is going to put their health insurance at risk. That’s why we are working with trusted community partners to reach people early and prove the support they need to keep their coverage.” 



“I am grateful for the hard work that the dedicated staff at MassHealth and our partner Health Care For All have been doing for many months to prepare for these federal changes,” said Secretary for Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah. “This same team led the state’s successful Redeterminations campaign in 2024 and I know that they are building on that foundation to ensure Massachusetts residents get the help they need to keep their health care.”  



The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a federal law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, requires states to implement significant changes to Medicaid programs nationwide. Beginning in January 2027, approximately 360,000 MassHealth members may face new work and education reporting requirements. Many of those members will also be required to renew their coverage every six months instead of every year, creating new administrative hurdles that could cause eligible residents to lose coverage because of missed paperwork or reporting deadlines.



National research, including a KFF report published last year, consistently shows that most working-age adults enrolled in Medicaid already work, attend school, care for family members, or live with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Studies of similar policies in other states have found that work reporting requirements primarily create additional paperwork and administrative burdens rather than increasing employment, often resulting in eligible people losing health coverage.



The campaign announced today is aimed at preventing unnecessary coverage loss by helping MassHealth enrollees and applicants understand what changes are coming, who is affected, and what steps need to be taken to keep their coverage.



"President Trump and Republicans in Congress have designed a cruel program intended to kick Massachusetts residents off of coverage that we know keeps people healthy and saves residents money in the long run," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Legislature prioritized funding this campaign because our people shouldn't lose their health care over red tape manufactured by the Trump administration. I applaud Governor Healey for implementing this campaign with the vigor that this topic demands."



“As the Trump administration works to prevent Americans from enrolling in Medicaid in order to finance their tax cuts for the wealthy, this statewide public awareness campaign is representative of the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring that eligible Massachusetts residents are able to navigate the new Medicaid requirements and keep their coverage,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the work that we did in the Legislature to provide the funding for this important initiative, and I’m grateful to Governor Healey for her commitment to this effort.”



“Healthcare is a necessity. I continue to fight these devastating cuts to fix healthcare and lower premiums for millions of Americans," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. "I applaud the Healey Driscoll Administration for providing this assistance to the residents of the Commonwealth as we continue to work towards restoring these benefits”. 



To support this effort, the Governor and Legislature invested $10 million to support Health Care For All and a statewide network of nearly 50 community-based organizations that will provide outreach, enrollment assistance and one-on-one support to MassHealth members. MassHealth estimates implementing these federally required changes will also require approximately $30 million in state investments for staffing, outreach and technology upgrades.



MassHealth has spent more than a year preparing to implement these federally required changes while minimizing the burden on members wherever possible. The agency will automatically identify members who qualify for exemptions using information already on file and use data matching to verify work and education requirements whenever possible, reducing the amount of paperwork members must submit. MassHealth will also contact impacted members directly through mail, text messages, emails and automated phone calls before they are required to take any action.



“MassHealth’s first and foremost priority is maintaining coverage for all eligible residents of the Commonwealth,” said Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Ryan Schwarz. “MassHealth is required by federal law to implement these changes – but we will do so in a way that minimizes disruption if we can so that eligible members can keep their coverage. Where we cannot use available data to automatically exempt members from these new burdensome requirements, MassHealth will make sure that those who are impacted have someone they can reach out to who they trust is on their side to navigate these changes.”



“This campaign is the antidote to the drastic federal cuts to health care programs that will have deep and lasting negative impacts on the people of Massachusetts,” said Jennifer Lemmerman, Executive Director of Health Care For All. “We are honored to be joining with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure those who receive coverage through MassHealth, particularly adults ages 19-64 who will be impacted by onerous work and education reporting requirements, are ready for these changes to mitigate potential coverage loss.” 



What MassHealth Members and Applicants Need to Know



Over the coming months, there will be changes to MassHealth eligibility because of a federal law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump.



Beginning in October 2026




  • Some lawfully present immigrants will no longer be eligible for comprehensive MassHealth coverage because of changes required under federal law.



Beginning in January 2027




  • Some MassHealth members ages 19-64 will be required to document that they meet new federal work or education requirements. 

  • Many of those members will also need to renew their MassHealth coverage every six months instead of every year.



Important Exemptions



Many members will not be required to meet the new work and education requirements. Exemptions may apply to members who are




  • Pregnant

  • Parenting children age 13 or younger

  • Living with a disability

  • Managing certain health condition



MassHealth will automatically identify members who qualify for these exemptions whenever possible using information on file.



What Members Should Do Now




  • Make sure MassHealth has your current mailing address, email address and cell phone number

  • Open every letter you receive from MassHealth, including your blue renewal envelope

  • Watch for emails, text messages and automated calls from MassHealth

  • Visit mass.gov/MassHealthMemberChanges to learn more, determine whether these changes apply to you and find a community-based organization in your area that can provide free enrollment assistance. 



Statements of Support



Representative John Lawn: 

“The federal government intentionally made health care coverage less accessible and less affordable, creating new barriers that will force people off their health plans. This is unacceptable. Maintaining enrollment requires collaboration and being proactive to combat the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on health care. Please make sure MassHealth has your most up-to-date information, open the notices they send you, and if you have any questions, please reach out for help.”



Kerri Perry, CEO, Community Action Inc:



“Community Action, Inc. is thrilled to welcome Governor Maura Healey to Haverhill to announce the MassHealth Public Awareness Campaign. We look forward to this partnership that will support critical MassHealth outreach, education, and enrollment for community members.”



Kaitlyn Kenney Walsh, President and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation: 

“Massachusetts continues to lead in protecting our most marginalized communities from damaging and mean-spirited federal cuts to health coverage. The plan being released today is a critical step in that process and aligns with our own research showing that effective multistakeholder outreach can minimize preventable coverage loss from the new federal eligibility changes to MassHealth. Community-based organizations are among the most trusted information sources for MassHealth members and we are pleased to see the Healey-Driscoll administration invest in these organizations to assist in preserving access to coverage. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is committed to doing our part as well, having launched a defense fund to help support these efforts earlier this year. Without swift and thoughtful action, we know that tens of thousands of eligible Massachusetts residents will lose access to the health and financial security that health care coverage provides.” 



Marty Martinez, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Massachusetts Bay:  

“Ensuring people can get the care they need is essential to building thriving, healthy communities. Government, nonprofits, philanthropy and employers all have a role to play in making sure our most vulnerable residents understand what is changing, what they need to do and where to get assistance navigating the health care system if they need it. United Way is proud to work alongside the Healey-Driscoll administration and support its proactive approach to leverage trusted messengers in the community, raise awareness about the changes, minimize administrative barriers and most importantly, keep eligible residents covered.”



Michael Curry, Esq., President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers:



“Health care coverage is a door to better care, more opportunity, and a stronger Massachusetts, but the changes to the Medicaid program threaten to close that door. At this critical moment, I am proud to see policymakers, health care leaders, and community advocates come together to ensure our most vulnerable can maintain their all-important health coverage. Community health centers are the foundation of the health safety net, and health center patients will be disproportionately harmed by the changes to Medicaid. Our efforts to sustain health care coverage will support the integrity of our health care system and protect those who need extra help to get ahead.”

 



Lora Pellegrini, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans: 

“The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans and our member plans applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration in taking strong action to protect access to Medicaid coverage as new federal work requirements and eligibility changes take effect.  Massachusetts has long been a national leader in ensuring access to high-quality health care. Our plans are committed to working closely with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, MassHealth, providers, and community partners to minimize coverage disruptions, help members navigate these new requirements, and ensure that as many eligible people as possible remain enrolled and connected to the care they need. At a time of significant federal change and uncertainty, maintaining coverage and continuity of care for Massachusetts residents must remain our shared priority.”



Michael Sroczynski, General Counsel, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA): 

“As trusted voices for their communities, our hospitals and health systems are proud to be a partner in the commonwealth’s push to connect people with the healthcare coverage and resources they need. This is, first and foremost, an imperative effort to maintain patients’ access to care – but it is also critical for the stability of our healthcare system as a whole, which is already feeling the effects of a strained Health Safety Net. We look forward to supporting and amplifying the state’s efforts as these new changes approach.”



###