Record Setting Rainfall Across The Capital Region

Communities across the Capital Region began cleaning up Thursdayafter record-setting rainfall flooded roads and homes, prompted water rescues and emergency declarations, and caused a 100-year-old mill to collapse.The daily rainfall total at Albany reached 5.45 inches Wednesday, making it the second-wettest day on record. The highest daily total remains 5.6 inches, recorded during Tropical Storm Floyd in 1999.

Fire departments, police agencies and emergency dispatchers reported unusually high call volumes as flooding spread across the region.

The NYS Department Of Health Announces Six-Month Medicaid Change Of Ownership (CHOW) Moratorium

The NYS Department of Health (DOH) has announced a temporary six-month moratorium on Medicaid enrollments and changes of ownership (CHOWs) for several categories of Medicaid providers, including Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs). The announcement was made by Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri during a United Hospital Fund seminar on July 30, 2026, and was subsequently reported by POLITICO Pro.

What the Moratorium Covers

The moratorium applies to Medicaid enrollment and ownership changes involving the following provider types:

The moratorium applies to Medicaid enrollment and ownership changes involving the following provider types:

• Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs)
• Adult Day Health Care programs
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers
• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) providers
• Clinical laboratories
• Pharmacies

According to DOH, these provider categories were selected because they align with federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) areas of heightened program integrity oversight and represent sectors with either high Medicaid expenditures or a large number of enrolled providers.

Impact on Pending and Future Transactions

The moratorium does not affect providers that are already enrolled in the Medicaid program. However, organizations with pending enrollment applications—including those pursuing a change of ownership that requires Medicaid enrollment approval—will have their applications placed on hold until the moratorium expires.

Medicaid Director Bassiri stated that applicants already in the approval pipeline "will be waiting until the end of the moratorium."

For providers contemplating acquisitions, mergers, or other ownership restructurings, the announcement effectively pauses Medicaid approval of many transactions involving affected provider types.

Why DOH Is Imposing the Moratorium

DOH indicated the moratorium is intended to provide time to:

• Transition from the current paper-based Medicaid enrollment process to a new electronic Provider Services Portal.
• Implement new federal Medicaid provider screening and revalidation requirements after the Trump Administration directed states to develop two-year provider revalidation plans.
• Modernize provider enrollment and oversight before processing additional applications.

Expected Duration

The Department anticipates the moratorium will remain in effect for at least six months. Bassiri indicated he does not currently expect the moratorium to be extended beyond that period.

Implications for Home Care Provider

The moratorium could have significant business implications:

• Delays in completing acquisitions and ownership transfers requiring Medicaid approval.
• Potential postponement of investment transactions and corporate restructurings.
• Extended closing timelines for buyers and sellers.
• Greater uncertainty for organizations with pending CHOW applications awaiting DOH action.

Providers already operating under an approved Medicaid enrollment are not impacted in their day-to-day operations, but organizations engaged in active transaction planning should expect Medicaid approval timelines to extend by at least six months.

Looking Ahead

DOH has characterized the moratorium as a temporary administrative measure rather than a permanent policy change. Once the Provider Services Portal is operational and the Department has implemented new federal enrollment and revalidation requirements, Medicaid enrollment processing—including CHOW-related approvals—is expected to resume.

For providers considering acquisitions or ownership changes, careful planning around transaction timing and regulatory approvals will be critical until the moratorium is lifted.

Read full article here.   full article