NoHLA is always on the lookout for improving health policy and that means being aware of opportunities on the federal and state level to support efforts to increase accountability and access. On the federal level, NoHLA recently responded to calls for comments in two important areas, mental health parity and over-the-counter products.

• In a comment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Executive Director Janet Varon described the challenges faced by Medicaid enrollees who are unable to obtain services through managed care organizations (MCOs) and the reluctance by the state to enforce contractual requirements because of the potential risk of losing MCOs that choose to not participate in the Medicaid program. We recommend more oversight by the federal government to ensure states are adhering to federal parity requirements and to address inadequate efforts by the state to ensure MCOs are meeting those requirements.
• In a response to a joint Request for Information by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor, Senior Policy Advocate Lee Che Leong urged the departments to make clear that current law requires insurance coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptives without a prescription . A significant barrier to access in Washington has been that some insurance companies require patients to pay upfront and then seek reimbursement. Another issue is the outdated electronic claim process that requires a prescription for contraception even when that is no longer needed. Along with the Free the Pill Coalition, we support a national approach to improve access to OTC contraception. Language access must also be prioritized to ensure equitable access.