Liz McCaman, Policy Associate
Liz McCaman joined NASHP in May 2016 as a Policy Associate. Her work focuses on supporting state operations and facilitating learning collaboratives for the implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, Innovation Accelerator Program, and State Innovation Model awards. She has written extensively on using state policy levers, particularly Medicaid and CHIP reimbursement, to improve health care access and outcomes. She previously led state technical assistance efforts around scope of practice and licensing regulation for both Massachusetts and California agencies, concentrating on initiatives to increase access to childhood immunizations and family planning. Liz has an MPH in Health Policy from Harvard University, and a JD from the University of California, Hastings. She is a member of both the State Bar of California and the District of Columbia Bar, and sits on the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Health Law Committee. She is also the proud fur parent of a Swedish Vallhund.
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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. 
