Blogs / Reports
FEATURED ARTICLE
A Labor of Love: State Policies and Partnerships to Lower Infant Mortality
/in Policy Colorado, Indiana, South Carolina Annual Conference, Blogs CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Healthy Child Development, Infant Mortality, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Lesa Rair and Jill RosenthalState agencies across the country, from Medicaid to public health, to social services and corrections, are deeply engaged in multi-sector initiatives to reduce infant mortality. And for good reason — the United States ranks 25th among industrialized countries in infant mortality with a disproportionate number of being African Americans. Despite the gravity of the problem, […]
Incentivizing Healthy Behaviors and Personal Responsibility
/in Policy Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana Annual Conference, Blogs Accountable Health, Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Medicaid Expansion, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Lesa RairTo help better prevent and control costly conditions such as chronic diseases, and to break the cycle of poor health, states are experimenting with mechanisms to incentivize healthy behaviors and personal responsibility for wellness. This past October, as part of the 29th Annual State Health Policy Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, leaders from Connecticut, Idaho, and […]
As Federal Leaders Debate, Open Enrollment is in Full Swing
/in Policy California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont Blogs Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP WritersPost-election, federal leaders are debating changes to the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and whether it will continue in light of the goals put forth by the incoming Administration. Meanwhile, open enrollment for the health insurance marketplaces is in full swing, with some states reporting increased or record enrollment figures during these first weeks of enrollment […]
CHIP Coverage is Important for Pregnant Women Too
/in Policy Blogs CHIP, CHIP, Eligibility and Enrollment, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Healthy Child Development, Infant Mortality, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care /by NASHP WritersWhile the importance of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for children has been widely documented, it is also important to remember that states can and many do use CHIP to provide coverage to low-and moderate-income pregnant women. With federal-funding for CHIP due to run out by the end of this federal fiscal year (September […]
What a Difference a Day Makes…
/in Policy Blogs CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP WritersTomorrow it will all be over, this long, costly, bitter, and divisive election will be behind us and we will know who America has chosen as our President, who has been elected to Congress, and a host of other important electoral outcomes. While this election has too often highlighted the differences within our country, a […]
How Health System Transformation Efforts are Improving Access to Care for Children and Youth
/in Policy Massachusetts, New York, Ohio Blogs Care Coordination, Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Healthy Child Development, Integrated Care for Children, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Value-Based Purchasing /by NASHP WritersStates are rapidly undertaking major reforms within their health care delivery systems. Though not often specifically targeting children and youth, these reforms offer opportunities to positively impact how this population accesses care. In a recent NASHP webinar several states described how their health system transformation efforts are doing so. Massachusetts State Innovation Model Grant: Massachusetts […]
States and the Rising Cost of Pharmaceuticals: A Call to Action
/in Policy Reports Administrative Actions, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health System Costs, Prescription Drug Pricing, State Rx Legislative Action /by NASHP Pharmacy Costs Work GroupAs part of the 29th Annual State Health Policy Conference, held 17-19 in Pittsburgh, PA, NASHP released findings from our Pharmacy Costs Work Group aimed at addressing the increasingly rising costs of pharmaceuticals. The solutions offered in the newly released findings serve as a toolbox for states. While they recognize the value of the pharmaceutical industry, state policymakers […]
State Leaders Offer Solutions to Address Rapid Increase in Prescription Drug Spending
/in Policy Blogs Administrative Actions, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health System Costs, Prescription Drug Pricing, State Rx Legislative Action /by NASHP Pharmacy Costs Work GroupNew Findings from Rx Work Group Released at National Health Event Pittsburgh, PA – The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) today released findings from their Pharmacy Costs Work Group aimed at addressing the increasingly rising costs of pharmaceuticals. The findings were released as part of their 29th Annual State Health Policy Conference, held […]
Medicaid Incentives for Effective Contraceptive Use and Postpartum Care
/in Policy Colorado, Oregon Blogs, Reports Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Infant Mortality, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health /by NASHP StaffUnplanned and complex births carry potentially avoidable health complications and costs to families and states. Broad healthcare payment and delivery reform is underway across the country to improve outcomes, enhance patient experience and reduce costs. Some states are capitalizing on these reforms to promote planned and healthy births by driving improvement in effective contraceptive use […]
NEXT STEPS FOR APCDs: US Department of Labor (DOL) Rulemaking
/in Policy Blogs Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health IT/Data, Health System Costs /by NASHP StaffComments submitted to the DOL The Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. decision dealt a blow to state APCDs by denying state all payer claims databases (APCD) the ability to require data submission from self-funded group health plans. Nationally about 63 percent of all workers with employer-based health insurance are in self-funded plans and that […]
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