Blogs / Reports
FEATURED ARTICLE
The Health Coverage Tax Credit for Trade Dislocated Workers and Retirees: Lessons from Maine’s Early Experience
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPThis paper details the design and structure of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), reviews early efforts to implement it in Maine, and examines a number of issues that may prevent the program from reaching its full potential. Health Coverage Tax Credit 275.6 KB
Dirigo Health Reform Act: Addressing Health Care Costs, Quality, and Access in Maine
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPThis issue brief examines the early implementation of the Dirigo Health Reform Act, Maine’s comprehensive effort to create a sustainable health care system. Developed by NASHP for the Maine Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance. Dirigo_Health_Reform.pdf 332.1 KB
Report from Focus Groups with Mainers about the Dirigo Health Plan
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPThis paper reports on the results of focus group studies conducted to ascertain Maine citizens’ views of the Dirigo Health Reform Act. Dirigo Focus Groups 363.7 KB
Health Reform in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont: An Examination of State Strategies to Improve Access to Affordable, Quality Care
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPThis issue brief was prepared by NASHP for the Maine Health Access Foundation to examine the progress of health reform in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont and to compare these three states’ efforts. The brief was developed and written by Neva Kaye and Andrew Snyder. The brief includes information on: • An overview and summary of the […]
Designing Maine’s DirigoChoice™ Benefit Plan – Striving to Improve Health at an Affordable Price
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPMaine’s Dirigo Health Reform Act of 2003 seeks to address health care costs, quality, and access. In order to address access, the Act authorizes the creation of a voluntary market-based health plan to help small businesses, the self-employed, and individuals afford health coverage. This issue brief addresses benefit design of the health plan, DirigoChoice™. Dirigo_Benefit_Plan.pdf […]
State Efforts to Extend Dependent Coverage for Young Adults
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPThis State Health Policy Monitor gives an overview of the key features of state laws designed to expand dependent coverage options for young adults. Policy makers are becoming aware that young adults are the fastest growing group of uninsured in America. In fact, they are more likely to be uninsured than any other age group. […]
Chronic Homelessness and High Users of Health Services: Report from a Meeting to Explore a Strategy for Reducing Medicaid Spending While Improving Care
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPThere is evidence that homeless people, especially the chronically homeless, incur high health care costs, much of which may be paid for with Medicaid funds. There is also evidence that health care costs are reduced when homeless people with intensive medical needs enter supportive housing, which combines affordable, stable housing with care workers who assist […]
Safety Net Workforce in the Context of Health Care Reform
/in Policy Reports /by NASHPIn the drive by many states to craft programs to expand health coverage to reach more, if not all, of their uninsured population, the focus has been on the cornerstone implementation issues of mandates and affordability. Less attention has been paid to the question of whether there is adequate provider capacity to deliver care, especially to […]
The Effects of Medicaid Reimbursement Rates on Access to Dental Care
/in Policy Reports Health Coverage and Access /by NASHPDentists cite three primary reasons for their low participation in state Medicaid programs: low reimbursement rates, burdensome administrative requirements, and problematic patient behaviors. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a number of states took dramatic steps to try to improve access to dental care in Medicaid. Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington […]
The CMS August 2007 Directive: Implementation Issues and Implications for State SCHIP Programs
/in Policy Reports Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health /by NASHPThis State Health Policy Briefing discusses the August 17, 2007 letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which has major implications for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and children’s health coverage. Among states and advocates alike, there is concern that aspects of the directive work against achieving the goals of […]
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. 
States’ COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declarations and Mask Requirements
/in COVID-19 State Action Center Charts, Featured News Home, Maps COVID-19, Featured Policy Home, Health Equity, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHP Staff and Ella Roth