If You Build It, They Will Come: State Health Reform Implementation Websites

A previous blog post highlighted how useful it can be for states to develop websites showcasing state health reform implementation activities. More than just a space to host documents and fact sheets, websites are prime real estate for soliciting meaningful involvement from the general public.
Here at State Refor(u)m, we’ve compiled a chart of the health reform implementation sites for states that use websites as tools for informing and engaging the public and we’ve taken a look at how states are capitalizing on their web presence. If you don’t see your state’s website listed, let us know and we’ll update the chart.
Many states, including Kentucky, Oklahoma, Montana, and Virginia use space on their websites to actively seek consumer input on state health reform implementation initiatives. For instance,Maryland’s Health Care Reform Coordinating Council encourages state residents to submit questions, feedback, and committee membership nominations. Also, the Illinois Health Reform Implementation Council asks for public testimony in the event that a resident is unable to attend a scheduled meeting.
Some states enhance their web presence with social media and other online marketing tools. Health reform coordinating bodies often rely on their parent agencies to use social media like Twitter or Facebook as information dissemination tools, but automated messaging services can also be effective in informing the public about state activities. States such as North Dakota, New York, South Dakota, and Massachusetts have employed RSS feeds and email subscriptions, so that consumers and other stakeholders can learn the latest developments on health reform implementation.
Almost every state uses its site as a public education tool by providing a routinely updated health reform FAQ page, an implementation timeline, and summaries of how the ACA affects different groups of consumers. Some states, like Rhode Island, Colorado, and Nevada, also include presentations about state efforts or reports providing in-depth analysis of the impact of health reform on stakeholders and state budgets.
Some state websites also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about other states’ implementation efforts. The Arkansas Health Benefit Exchange Planning site contains materials from multi-state Exchange meetings, and visitors to the Delaware Health Care Commission’s website are provided an opportunity to test drive Wisconsin’s Exchange prototype.
How is your state using its website to give stakeholders a voice in health reform implementation?Share your work or discuss with other states on State Refor(u)m.