Healthcare took center stage in governors’ 2026 “State of the State” addresses.
The National Governors Association compiled excerpts from across the country that focused on healthcare, ranging from technology use to the Rural Health Transformation Program to insurance reforms.
Here is what three governors had to say on insurance reforms and affordability:
Gov. Mike Braun, R-Ind.: “Healthcare is too expensive. As a business owner, I know how important it is to provide employees with high-quality healthcare at an affordable price. I built a healthcare plan in my company that hasn’t had a premium increase in 18 years, based on the principles I’m putting to work in the state of Indiana: wellness and prevention, not expensive remediation.”
Mr. Braun was referring to the self-funded health coverage at Meyer Distributing. While he lauds the plan’s stable premiums, he has faced some scrutiny from former employees over high deductibles, Politico reported in 2018.
Gov. Maura Healey, D-Mass.: “Starting this year, you won’t need prior authorization from any insurance company to get the care you need. No more paperwork, no more waiting. If your doctor says you need it, you’ll get it.”
Ms. Healey laid out prior authorization reforms at the start of 2026, giving insurers 24 hours to respond to urgent requests and seeking greater transparency. The news release about her plan explicitly mentioned diabetes patients would be exempt from prior authorization for related services, medications and devices.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va.: “We will contend with an impending healthcare crisis by protecting healthcare access, cracking down on the middlemen who are driving up drug prices and making sure Virginians aren’t going into spiraling medical debt because of a single emergency.”
A bill recently introduced in Congress would cap insulin cost-sharing at $35 per month, and Ms. Spanberger backed aligned efforts during her time as a U.S. Representative. She has also pushed for pharmacy benefit manager accountability.
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