State Opportunities to Engage Employers in Health Reform Implementation
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides many opportunities for states to engage employers in health reform implementation. States can educate employers about the small employer tax credit, include employer input as they design insurance exchanges, and involve businesses in implementing new small group rating rules. Terry Gardiner, National Policy Director of the Small Business Majority, will provide an overview of such opportunities, and representatives from two states participating in HRSA’s State Health Access Program (SHAP)–Stephen Horan, President, Virginia Community Health Solutions, and Beth Walter, Program Director, Washington Health Insurance Partnership–will provide information about plans in their states to engage employers.
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. 
