Health IT/Data
FEATURED ARTICLE
States Explore Emerging Evidence to Learn New, Innovative Uses of Telehealth
/in Policy Blogs Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs, Healthy Child Development, Integrated Care for Children, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Safety Net Providers and Rural Health, Workforce Capacity /by Johanna Butler and Christina CousartThe National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently launched the Telehealth Affinity Group, composed of state policymakers, that is examining emerging evidence from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) into innovative uses of telehealth to transform health care delivery systems in states. State and federal policymakers are eager to explore emerging patient-centered outcomes research […]
Rural Health Clinics
/in Policy Reports Chronic and Complex Populations, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home, Quality and Measurement, Safety Net Providers and Rural Health /by NASHP StaffDownload this report. Rural health clinics (RHCs) were established through the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977[i] in order to improve access to non-physician practitioners, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, in rural areas that lacked an adequate supply of physicians. Today, there are approximately 4,100 RHCs[ii] in 44 states.[iii] To be eligible […]
State-based Marketplace Leaders Share their Success and Growth with Federal Leaders
/in Policy Blogs Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Trish Riley and Christina CousartState-based marketplace (SBM) leaders convened in Washington, DC last week to share experiences and ideas and meet with key Congressional staff in advance of this year’s open enrollment period. SBMs, which exercise total control over their health insurance marketplaces in contrast to states that use the federal marketplace, are making considerable progress in reaching and […]
State Medicaid Levers to Promote Immunization: California’s Experience
/in Policy California Reports CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Eligibility and Enrollment, Eligibility and Enrollment, EPSDT, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs, Healthy Child Development, Immunization, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home, Quality and Measurement /by Rebecca CooperVaccines are a powerful and cost-effective tool to prevent diseases and save lives. Once common, deadly diseases such as polio, measles, and mumps are preventable and smallpox no longer exists outside of a laboratory. According to research estimates, of 4.3 million infants born in the United States in 2009, vaccines will prevent 40,000 deaths and […]
How California Is Moving the Needle on Coverage and Costs: An Interview with Covered California Leaders
/in Policy California Blogs Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Medicaid Expansion, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Christina CousartCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new budget has infused significant funds to make health care coverage sold through its health insurance marketplace (Covered California) more affordable and has made new subsidies available to middle-income individuals earning between 400 to 600 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). • California’s new subsidy program assists those earning up […]
States Continue to Implement Surprise Medical Billing Protections
/in Policy Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas Blogs, Charts Consumer Affordability, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs /by Christina CousartEliminating Hepatitis C: New State Payment Models for Treatment and Emerging Evidence
/in Policy Louisiana, Washington Blogs Administrative Actions, Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Prescription Drug Pricing, Value-Based Purchasing /by Maureen Hensley-QuinnWith hepatitis C infections on the rise and curative, but expensive, prescription drugs now available, state leaders across the country are compelled to address this public health crisis, and Louisiana and Washington are developing innovative drug-purchasing strategies within their efforts. At the same time, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is investing in patient-focused studies […]
States Lead on Surprise Medical Billing Protections, Congress Poised to Follow
/in Policy Charts Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs /by Christina CousartState Surprise Medical Billing Laws Can Inform the Congressional Debate
/in Policy Blogs Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs /by Christina Cousart, Trish Riley and Maureen Hensley-QuinnAs Congress and the Trump Administration propose strategies to address surprise balance billing – charges for unexpected, out-of-network medical care – states have significant experience in implementing surprise billing laws that can inform the discussion. Importantly, state authority cannot protect individuals covered by self-insured plans, which are pre-empted by Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA,) […]
A New State Tool to Manage Drug Costs: Experts Share Insights into Outcome-Based Contracts for Medicaid Pharmacy Claims
/in Policy Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma Blogs Administrative Actions, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Prescription Drug Pricing, Quality and Measurement, Value-Based Purchasing /by Jennifer ReckColorado and Michigan have joined Oklahoma to become the nation’s pioneering states with approved State Plan Amendments (SPAs) that enable Medicaid alternative payment models (APMs) for prescription drugs in the form of outcome-based contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers. In early May, state experts from Oklahoma, Colorado, and Michigan shared their experiences implementing their APMs during a […]
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. 
Medicaid Agencies Cultivate Partnerships and Deploy Data to Bolster COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Blogs, Featured News Home COVID-19, Eligibility and Enrollment, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health IT/Data, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Program Design, Quality and Measurement, Social Determinants of Health, Special Populations and Services, Vaccines /by Christina CousartCOVID-19 vaccine distribution has accelerated across states as the Biden Administration updates its vaccine goal to 200 million doses by April 23, 2021 and many states are opening eligibility to all adults by early April. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently spoke with several state Medicaid officials to learn more about how […]