State Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Disease Crises Through Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships
Florida Department of Health’s “Drain and Cover” campaign reminds residents to fight mosquitoes by draining standing water.
Protecting public health in an era when infections can quickly spread from remote areas to major world cities requires creative and well-orchestrated responses from national, state, and local governments. One of the critical partnerships states can forge before, during, and after such crises is between public health and Medicaid. This report, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, explores effective, collaborative approaches developed by California, Florida, and Texas that may help other states strengthen their Medicaid and public health partnerships to prevent and better respond to communicable disease crises.
Read or download: State Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Disease Crises Through Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships
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. 
