2026 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Health Care


Andy Beshear: Mental health is just as important as physical health

We also recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. Since I've taken office, our number of mental health professionals has nearly doubled. Our efforts to rebuild our state-run health care exchange, kynect, have been hugely successful. Last year, nearly 100,000 Kentuckians enrolled--the highest number in the past decade.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature Jan 7, 2026

Brad Little: Improve accessibility and affordability of rural health care

Our ENDURING IDAHO plan safeguards access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities. We know the affordability and accessibility of healthcare tops the list of concerns for Idahoans right now. Over the next five years, thanks to the leadership and vision of Idaho's congressional delegation and President Trump, Idaho will invest nearly one billion federal dollars to improve the accessibility and affordability of rural health care.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature Jan 12, 2026

Katie Hobbs: Erased $642M in medical debt for nearly 500,000 people

To return security to their lives, I launched a historic initiative to cancel medical debt and deliver meaningful relief for working-class Arizonans. Before we took action, Arizonans owed 2.4 billion dollars worth of medical debt. Today, we've erased 642 million dollars in medical debt for nearly half a million people--without costing the state government a dime.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature Jan 12, 2026

Kay Ivey: Kickstart efforts to improve health care in rural America

We recently learned Alabama will receive more than $203 million dollars in first-year funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program. Made possible by the One Big Beautiful Bill, this program, over five years, will kickstart efforts to improve health care in rural America. Our plan approved by the Trump Administration lists 11 initiatives to boost rural healthcare delivery.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2026

Kim Reynolds: Expand our proven Centers of Excellence health program

Through our Healthy Hometowns Initiative, we're developing cancer care hubs—helping fund the oncologists, equipment, and advanced medical technology necessary to provide this specialized treatment. This effort expands upon our proven Centers of Excellence program, which has increased access to maternal health care in rural Iowa. Now, with a strong foundation in place, we can move faster, go further, and truly transform care by expanding the model to cardiovascular care and mental health.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Iowa legislature Jan 13, 2026

Gavin Newsom: Our CalRX program launched our own generic drug label

In addition to the largest health care expansion in America, we subsidized some 370,000 people to help bring down the cost of their health insurance through Covered California. But it's not good enough to just subsidize health care costs; we need to lower them. And we are doing just that through our CalRX program, launching our own generic drug label. Just last week, we launched insulin at $11 a pen, just as we did with life-saving naloxone last year.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to California legislature Jan 8, 2026

Bob Ferguson: Instead of CDC we listen to experts relying on science

Speaking of challenges with the federal government, the Centers for Disease Control has seen an exodus of scientific experts and alarming shifts in policy that place Washingtonians' health at risk. I immediately took action and teamed up with other Governors to form the West Coast Health Alliance. The Alliance ensures Washingtonians will continue to receive responsible recommendations from health experts who rely on, you guessed it, science.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Washington legislature Jan 13, 2026

Dan McKee: Create the state's first Marketplace Affordability program

Those who buy insurance through HealthSource RI are facing rising costs or a loss of coverage due to the inaction of Washington Republicans. Keeping our uninsured rate as low as possible is important to all of us because it helps stabilize our health insurance costs. That's why my budget will invest $9.5 million to create the state's first Marketplace Affordability program to support the 20,000 Rhode Islanders who are at the greatest risk of losing their HealthSourceRI coverage.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Rhode Island legislature Jan 13, 2026

Jared Polis: Our goal is health care for everyone at lower costs

We will continue fighting for Coloradans, but ultimately, we need Washington to step up and take real action on a real solution. Call it what you will--a social insurance model, multi-payer universal health care, Medicare for All, a single payer system with private insurance and care on top--no matter the jargon, the outcome is what matters: health care for everyone at lower costs. It's long past time Washington got on the side of hardworking Americans, and out of the pockets of special interests.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 15, 2026

Kathy Hochul: Protect affordable health care for 1.3M+ New Yorkers

Republicans in Washington want to drive up premiums, deny coverage, and force families to choose between seeing a doctor and paying their rent. Here in New York we are fighting like hell to stop them. This year, we'll protect affordable health care for more than 1.3 million New Yorkers. And we're also protecting access to lifesaving vaccines.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the New York legislature Jan 13, 2026

Laura Kelly: Join me in making mental health a real priority

We have done a lot. We have filled many gaps. But unfortunately, the needs of Kansans require that even more must be done. We need more treatment beds. We need more professionals. We need more crisis response. And my budget does just that. Join me in making mental health a real priority this session.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature Jan 13, 2026

Ron DeSantis: Coercing medical treatments is philosophically wrong

The use of coercion regarding medical treatments has been philosophically wrong and tactically counterproductive. People must have the right to make personalized choices about which medical products to consume or which medical interventions to undergo. Informed consent must be the touchstone. Let's make that the law of the land in the free state of Florida!
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature Jan 13, 2026

Bill Lee: $1B over five years for healthcare in rural communities

We now have an opportunity like we haven't seen in decades. Thanks to the Trump Administration, resources have become available through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, awarded just one month ago, that will provide Tennessee with more than $1 billion over the next five years to transform healthcare in rural communities all across the state. That's a billion dollars for our rural hospitals, our rural EMS, and our rural primary care doctors.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature Feb 2, 2026

Gretchen Whitmer: Being sick or getting hurt shouldn't also mean going broke

  1. Let's cap interest rates on medical debt.
  2. Let's prevent medical debt from showing up on your credit report.
  3. Let's require hospitals to set up financial assistance programs for patients.
  4. And let's ban liens or foreclosures on homes because of medical debt.
In Michigan, we believe that being sick or getting hurt shouldn't also mean going broke. In 2026, we can help more Michiganders reduce medical debt.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature Feb 25, 2026

J.B. Pritzker: Negotiated the elimination of $1 billion in medical debt

Today, I'm proud to announce that, as of this week, we have negotiated the elimination of $1 billion in medical debt for 520,000 Illinoisans across all 102 counties. We're providing immediate financial relief--and we're doing it for pennies on the dollar. I've proposed we continue this program this coming budget year. The cost of healthcare in this country is ridiculously high, and while President Trump's budget makes it even more expensive, Illinois is standing up to protect its people.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature Feb 8, 2026

Janet Mills: We restored nursing and other critical public health staff

Beginning in the first year of my administration, we restored nursing and other critical public health staff to respond to emergencies after years of cuts to state government by the previous administration. And thank God those nurses were there--along with our National Guard soldiers and our health care workforce, active and retired,--to answer the call when a worldwide pandemic struck.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature Jan 27, 2026

Janet Mills: We codified the protections of the ACA

Together we enacted the 'Made for Maine Health Coverage Act' which established the state-based health insurance marketplace, CoverME.gov, and which made many preventative care visits free or less costly. And we codified the protections of the ACA, for instance, barring an insurance company from refusing to cover you on account of a "pre-existing condition." I mean, life is a pre-existing condition, isn't it!?
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature Jan 27, 2026

Josh Green: $16.5M to cover the cost of the enhanced ACA tax credits

But healthcare is not just about hospitals and providers--it's about affordability. That's why I am committed to protecting health coverage for Hawai'i families. I am including $16.5 million in our proposed 2026 budget to cover the cost of the enhanced ACA tax credits for everyone in Hawai?i currently using them to buy insurance--to help keep coverage affordable for our families, seniors, and children.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Hawaii legislature Jan 26, 2026

Josh Shapiro: Raising the minimum wage helps people off of Medicaid

You know how else we can put money in people's pockets? By finally raising the minimum wage. Because raising the minimum wage to $15/hour will save this Commonwealth $300 million a year on entitlement programs like Medicaid. Not by adding arbitrary and cumbersome requirements that push people who still need help off the rolls but by literally raising the wages of nearly 61,000 people who currently rely on Medicaid and make less than $15/hour.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Pennsylvania legislature Feb 3, 2026

Kelly Armstrong: We have the chance to be the healthiest state in the nation

We have identified a singular purpose: to address the $199 million in federal funds awarded for the first year of our Rural Health Transformation Program. Over the last 20 years, health care has concentrated in our largest communities, leaving our rural residents without adequate services. These challenges demand bold action. By expanding access, promoting long-term wellness and driving innovation, we have the chance to be the healthiest state in the nation.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature Jan 21, 2026

Kelly Ayotte: Fund one of the strongest Medicaid programs in the country

We funded one of the strongest Medicaid programs in the country despite a difficult budget environment: protecting services and maintaining New Hampshire's eligibility levels, which are tops in New England. We ensured no waitlist for disability services, and we are strengthening our mental health system, a lifeline for people in every corner of our state. We also funded uncompensated care at our Community Mental Health Centers so no one is turned away when they need help.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the N.H. legislature Feb 5, 2026

Kevin Stitt: Medicaid drives massive spending growth, enables waste

Medicaid is Exhibit A--driving massive spending growth while enabling waste. In 10 years, Medicaid is projected to eat up 37% of our annual budget--$6 billion dollars. My recent executive order ramps up work requirements and vetting for Medicaid, SNAP and other federal welfare benefits. I'm calling on the Legislature to send a question to voters that would allow adjustments to Medicaid expansion so that we protect the program for those who really need it, not those who should be working.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature Feb 2, 2026

Maura Healey: We wrote a vaccine prescription for everyone in this state

Let me tell you what we do, Massachusetts. When the federal government tried to deny people vaccines? We wrote a vaccine prescription for everyone in this state. And we made sure insurance covers it. In Massachusetts, if you want a vaccine, you'll get it. When they cut research and blocked cures to cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's? I said, we're going to put more dollars into science and research. People across the world have been saved by Massachusetts science and that will not stop.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature Jan 22, 2026

Ned Lamont: Connecticut making up for federal cuts for health insurance

The federal budget could have increased health insurance costs on the exchange by thousands of dollars for many middle-class families. Instead, Connecticut is making up for most of these federal cuts. We saved you money and ensured Connecticut has more of our citizens with health insurance while the rest of the country has less. And, we continue to provide primary care regardless of background, thanks to additional funding for FQHCs and Planned Parenthood.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Feb 4, 2026

Ned Lamont: We will finally move to universal, affordable healthcare

Let's work together on the Connecticut Option. This plan will encourage state employees, retirees, and small businesses to go to hospitals where you get the best value, because some hospitals charge 50% more than others for the same outcome. Let's work this together--labor and business, hospitals, and insurance. Don't let the lobbyists scare you. We can and will finally move to universal, affordable healthcare. Rather than pushing people off healthcare, we will make sure you are taken care of.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Feb 4, 2026

Wes Moore: Vaccine policy led by science, not conspiracy theories

Last month, I stood with doctors and nurses at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Prince George's County. Washington is making their jobs harder. Because the federal government went from data-driven research to "choose-your-own-adventure." So this year, I have introduced legislation to decouple the state's vaccine authority from the federal government's. Because our vaccine policy will be led by science, not internet conspiracy theories.
Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Maryland legislature Feb 11, 2026

  • The above quotations are from 2026 Governor's State of the State speeches.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Health Care.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Gavin Newson on Health Care.
  • Click here for more quotes by Kay Ivey on Health Care.
Gubernatorial candidates on Health Care:
Gubernatorial races in 2026:
  • AK: Mike Dunleavy(R,term-limited)
  • AL: Kay Ivey(R,term-limited)
  • AR: Sarah Huckabee Sanders(R,for re-election)
  • AZ: Katie Hobbs(D,for re-election)
  • CA: Gavin Newsom(D,term-limited)
  • CO: Jared Polis(D,term-limited)
  • CT: Ned Lamont(D,for re-election)
  • FL: Ron DeSantis(R,term-limited)
  • GA: Brian Kemp(R,term-limited)
  • HI: Josh Green(D,for re-election)
  • IA: Kim Reynolds(R,retiring)
  • ID: Brad Little(R,for re-election)
  • IL: J.B. Pritzker(D,for re-election)
  • KS: Laura Kelly(D,term-limited)
  • MA: Maura Healey(D,for re-election)
  • MD: Wes Moore(D,for re-election)
  • ME: Janet Mills(D,term-limited)
    		• 2026 gubernatorial races continued...
  • MI: Gretchen Whitmer(D,term-limited)
  • MN: Tim Walz(D,retiring)
  • NE: Jim Pillen(R,for re-election)
  • NH: Kelly Ayotte(R,for re-election)
  • NM: Michelle Lujan-Grisham(D,term-limited)
  • NV: Joe Lombardo(R)
  • NY: Kathy Hochul(D,for re-election)
  • OH: Mike DeWine(R,term-limited)
  • OK: Kevin Stitt(R,term-limited)
  • OR: Tina Kotek(D,for re-election)
  • PA: Josh Shapiro(D,for re-election)
  • RI: Dan McKee(D,for re-election)
  • SC: Henry McMaster(R,term-limited)
  • SD: Larry Rhoden(R,for re-election)
  • TN: Bill Lee(R,term-limited)
  • TX: Greg Abbott(R,for re-election)
  • VT: Phil Scott(R,for re-election)
  • WI: Tony Evers(D,retiring)
  • WY: Mark Gordon(R,term-limited)
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    Page last updated: Sep 26, 2026