Medicaid Family Planning Demonstrations: Design Issues and Resources for States
Since the mid-1990s, 26 states have implemented Medicaid Section 1115 family planning demonstration waivers to help low-income women avoid unintended pregnancy and improve child and maternal health outcomes. These waivers have saved states millions of dollars. The waiver programs, which require approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provide access to family planning services for individuals not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
This State Health Policy Briefing is the third is a NASHP series examining Medicaid family planning demonstration waivers. It explores some of the design choices states face when applying for and implementing a waiver – choices about whom the program should cover, how it should cover them, and how states can ensure that clients receive the services they need.
| shpbriefing_familyplanningissues.pdf | 289.6 KB |
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. 
