Aligning Federal and State Approaches to Integrating Primary Care and Community Resources
Monday, December 9, 2013
12:30-2pm EST
Join NASHP for a webinar on aligning federal and state programs and policies to support building stronger linkages between primary care and resources and services within the community, including behavioral, public health, long-term services and socio-economic supports. State leaders from Alabama and Rhode Island will describe the approaches and models being used in their states to promote the integration of primary care and community resources and the challenges and opportunities to align with federal strategies. Two federal reactors will describe opportunities for aligning federal and state approaches, including those presented by the state speakers. (Rescheduled from 10/4/13.)
Facilitator
Jill Rosenthal, Senior Program Director, National Academy for State Health Policy
State Speakers
Deidre Gifford, Medicaid Medical Director, Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Robert Moon, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Health Systems, Alabama Medicaid
Federal Reactors
Barbara Edwards, Group Director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Suzanne Fields, Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Health Care Financing, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
