Abner Mason Champions Modernizing Communication for Medicaid Members

The Reconciliation Act of 2025 was signed into law on July 4, 2025. Specifically, the new law references text messaging as a mode of communication states can use when communicating with Medicaid beneficiaries, and more generally encourages states to use modern modes of communication. This new law supersedes the 1993 Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and will allow states and their contracted partners like Medicaid Managed Care Plans to text members and to use other common forms of communication. This is a much needed and significant win for modernization and will make it easier for Medicaid beneficiaries to comply with the new work requirements included in the law.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was originally created to curb telemarketing abuses but has unintentionally hampered Medicaid managed care plans from sending automated texts without prior consent. This restriction has become a major barrier to reaching enrollees — many of whom rely on mobile phones as their primary means of communication. With new federal work requirements on the horizon, Medicaid recipients will soon need to verify eligibility and employment status more frequently. Advocates warn that without the ability to send timely text reminders; many could lose coverage simply due to missed paperwork or outdated contact methods.

Texting has proven to be a lifeline for underserved populations, offering a low-cost, high-impact way to share critical updates about preventive care, appointments, and eligibility renewals — yet legal ambiguities and the risk of fines have left health plans cautious to adopt this modern tool.

Aligning communication methods with how people live — via texting — is essential for health equity, administration efficiency, and continuity of care. As these policy conversations evolve, healthcare organizations serving Medicaid members are encouraged to stay engaged, assess their digital communication strategies, and advocate for additional progress toward modernizing communication by working with HHS and CMS leadership as they develop regulations to implement the new law.
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The law includes the suggested language Abner Mason, chief strategy and transformation officer for GroundGame.Health spearheaded with other industry leaders that in addition to specifically including text messaging, the Medicaid program also be allowed to use "commonly available electronic means, and such other forms as the Secretary determines appropriate." This should ensure we avoid the problem TCPA created by not taking into account evolving technology and changing communication preferences.

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Abner is a leading voice in this conversation, and has recently been featured in several national publications and podcasts. Below is a roundup of his latest media coverage:

Recent Media Coverage Featuring Abner Mason

SWAAY.Health Podcast (June 19, 2025)
In a podcast episode titled “The 30-Year-Old Law Putting Medicaid Members at Risk”, Abner shared how legal barriers are costing lives.
Listen to the full episode here

Axios Pro: Health Care Policy (June 12, 2025)
In an article examining how work requirements may disrupt Medicaid coverage, Abner stressed the urgency of modernizing communication.
Read the full article here

HealthPopuli (June 9, 2025)
In a piece about texting as a health equity tool, Abner highlighted the real-world impact.
Read the full article here

The Health Care Blog (June 9, 2025)
Abner contributed a guest post underscoring the policy disconnect.
Read the full article here

Forbes (June 5, 2025)
In a Forbes Health contributor article, Abner warned of the consequences of inaction.
Read the full article here

Fierce Healthcare (June 5, 2025)
Discussing the revived Medicaid work requirement bill, Abner emphasized operational risks.
Read the full article here