October 15, 2026
By Mike Glenn, Jefferson Healthcare CEO
CEO Mike Glenn outlines upcoming Apple Health changes and shares resources to help you navigate potential changes to your coverage.
For months, Jefferson Healthcare has been preparing for changes coming to Medicaid, known in Washington as Apple Health, resulting from the recent federal law H.R. 1. The law is projected to reduce healthcare funding by nearly $1 trillion, with most of the cuts coming from Medicaid. Sadly, this will likely touch many families in our community.
Jefferson Healthcare has spent the last decade bringing care closer to home. We’ve spent years expanding services, recruiting specialists, building cancer care infrastructure, and investing in programs that allow people to receive the care they need right here in East Jefferson County. Now we’re focused on ensuring patients can continue to access that care.
While rural hospitals are more likely than urban systems to feel the financial impacts from H.R. 1, we believe access to healthcare should not depend on where you live. Rural communities deserve the same access to high-quality care as urban communities. Jefferson Healthcare is starting from a stable financial position to navigate the coming changes, and our recent campus improvements are designed to accommodate growing patient needs. Our goals are clear: to get to the other side of H.R. 1 with our critical programs and services intact and to double down on our values, beliefs, and commitment to this community.
As your local healthcare provider, Jefferson Healthcare wants to make sure you have accurate information and know what steps to take. If you or a family member is covered by Apple Health, Washington’s Medicaid program, the new law is bringing several updates to eligibility and renewal requirements over the next year and a half that you may need to know about.
Starting October 1, 2026, eligibility rules changed for certain noncitizens enrolled in Apple Health, including some refugees, asylees, and other lawfully present individuals. Children, pregnant individuals, and people up to 12 months postpartum will continue to be eligible regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet other requirements.
Starting January 1, 2027, adults enrolled in Apple Health for Adults will need to meet new work, training, or community engagement requirements, generally 80 hours a month, unless they qualify for an exemption. At the same time, coverage renewals for Apple Health for Adults will move from once a year to every six months, and the window for retroactive coverage will be shortened.
Not everyone on Apple Health will be affected, and many details are still being finalized by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). We can’t tell you whether these changes apply to your specific situation — eligibility depends on individual circumstances that only HCA can review. What we can do is encourage you to take a few simple steps now:
Navigating changes like these can feel overwhelming, especially while managing your health. There are several organizations in East Jefferson County that can help:
Jefferson Healthcare’s financial counselors are also available to help you understand your coverage, connect with enrollment assistance, and explore other options if your Apple Health eligibility changes. Learn more at JeffersonHealthcare.org/BillPay.
If you lose Apple Health eligibility, you’re not without options. All Washington residents, regardless of immigration status, can shop for health and dental coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, including during special enrollment periods triggered by a loss of coverage.
We want to make sure every patient in East Jefferson County can continue to access the care they need. That means helping our neighbors stay informed and connected to coverage, even as the rules around Medicaid continue to evolve.
At Jefferson Healthcare, our responsibility is clear: to provide high-quality medical care for everyone in our community. We have spent months preparing for these changes so we can continue providing services to everyone who needs care, regardless of ability to pay. If you need care, please don’t delay because you are concerned about coverage or cost. We can help you navigate the changes, apply for financial assistance, and understand your options. Medicaid rules may be changing, but Jefferson Healthcare’s commitment to this community is not. Whatever changes come, we will navigate them together and be here to give you the care you need.
Jefferson Healthcare is an award-winning, full-service healthcare organization meeting the care needs of East Jefferson County. Jefferson Healthcare offers inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services, including primary and specialty physician care.
