State Policymakers’ Priorities for
Successful Implementation of Health Reform
As states assess the challenges and opportunities presented by federal health reform legislation, there is a natural tendency to focus on the most immediate issues, but it is equally important that states begin planning for the many aspects of implementation that occur in later years. This Health Reform Implementation section highlights NASHP’s resources. In the fall of 2009, NASHP undertook a series of activities with state officials to begin laying the groundwork for state implementation of federal reform and three reports were published:
• State Policymakers’ Priorities for Improving the Health System
• Supporting State Policymakers’ Implementation of Federal Health Reform
Soon after the passage of Health Reform legislation, NASHP’s executive committee identified 10 aspects of federal health reform that states must get right if they are to be successful in implementation. The 10 areas below include NASHP resources that helped lay the groundwork leading up to health reform implementation and can help states as they consider reform-related policy decisions.
1. Be Strategic with Insurance Exchange
2. Regulate the Commercial Health Insurance Market Effectively
3. Simplify and Integrate Eligibility Systems
4. Expand Provider and Health System Capacity
5. Attend to Benefit Design
6. Focus on the Dually Eligible
7. Use Your Data
8. Pursue Population Health Goals
9. Engage the Public in Policy Development and Implementation
10. Demand Quality and Efficiency from the Health Care System
