Efforts in Ensuring Health Care to Children in Foster Care: Case Studies of Nine States
Over 715,000 children received foster care services for some period of time in 1995, and compared to other children in the United States, children in foster care are more likely to be in poor health, both physical and behavioral. Obtaining appropriate health care for these children is often complicated by a number of complex factors. In the final year of a three-year project funded by The Nathan E. Cummings Foundation, the National Academy for State Health Policy conducted site visits to nine states, many of which have made significant efforts to improve health care for children in foster care. This report is based on those site visits and chronicles how the participating states have sought to improve health care for this vulnerable and needy population. Participating states included: Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Utah.
| 1999.Dec_.efforts.ensuring.health.care_.children.foster.care_.9.states.pdf | 3.2 MB |
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. 
