Comprehensive State Reforms
A handful of states have enacted and implemented comprehensive reforms that provide access to health coverage, improve the quality of care, and decrease costs. These reforms required tremendous leadership and hold great promise.
NASHP has monitored and analyzed these comprehensive state reforms in order to inform conversations about health reform at both the state and federal level. Our work includes convening states to share lessons learned among each other and providing forums where federal officials can learn from states. Key topics NASHP has worked on include: financing coverage expansions in Medicaid and SCHIP, the role of employers in health reform, private market reform, cost containment, and quality improvement.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Maine Health Care Foundation, have generously supported NASHP’s work in this area.
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. 
