- ACA Implementation & State Health Reform
- Coverage and Access
- Federal/State Issues
- Medicaid and CHIP
- Population and Public Health
- Providers and Services
- Acute Care
- Assisted Living
- Behavioral Health
- Child Development Services
- Chronic Care Management
- Community Health Centers
- Developmental Screening
- Early Childhood Services
- EPSDT
- Family Planning
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Home & Community Based Services
- Long Term Services & Supports
- Medical Homes & Health Homes
- Mental Health
- Nursing Homes
- Oral Health
- Preventive Care
- Primary Care
- Safety Net Providers
- Quality, Cost, and Health System Performance
- ACOs
- Adverse Event Reporting
- Care Transitions
- Comparative Effectiveness
- Cost Sharing
- Delivery System Reform
- Fraud and Abuse
- Health Care Workforce
- Health Information Technology
- Managed Care
- Medical Homes & Health Homes
- Medical Malpractice
- Patient Safety
- Payment Reform
- Performance Measurement
- Provider Payment Policy
- Quality Oversight
- Specific Populations
- Adolescents
- Childless Adults
- Children
- Children with Special Health Care Needs
- Dual Eligibles
- Elders
- Families
- Low Income People
- Parents
- People with Chronic Conditions
- People with Developmental Disabilities
- Transitional Youth
- Vulnerable Populations
- Young Adults
- Youth
- Youth in Foster Care System
- Youth in Juvenile Justice System
-
The Affordable Care Act and Children with Special Health Care Needs
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides states with some important tools that can be utilized to provide more continuous, adequate and affordable coverage for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). How the law is interpreted and whether implementation challenges are addressed with the unique needs of CSHCN in mind will shape how well the ACA fulfills its promise to this vulnerable population. This paper developed by the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) for the Catalyst Center at Boston University reviews and analyzes key provisions of the ACA relevant for CSHCN and provides suggestions for state policymakers.
Download here: The Affordable Care Act and Children with Special Health Care Needs
January 2011 -
Reauthorizing SCHIP: Principles, Issues and Ideas from State Directors Updated January 2009
With reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) moving quickly through Congress, this State Health Policy briefing seeks to inform the federal legislators and other policymakers about the issues of greatest concern to SCHIP program directors related to the reauthorization. The brief was developed by NASHP through in-depth conversations with and input from a workgroup of state SCHIP directors, and reviewed by all SCHIP directors. Publication of the brief was made possible through the generous support of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as part of broader efforts to provide assistance and report on state SCHIP programs since the program’s inception.January 2009» -
Medicaid 1115 Family Planning Demonstration Waiver Programs
Twenty-seven states have received Medicaid 1115 demonstration waivers to provide family planning services to individuals not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Two other states have applied for waivers. This updated State Health Policy Monitor examines the status of these waivers, and provides a brief overview of eligibility guidelines and benefits. Additional NASHP publications examine specific waiver design features, and explore topics such as cost savings and the impact on health outcomes.November 2008» -
SCHIP Dental Benefits
This State Health Policy Monitor examines the status of SCHIP dental benefits in the 39 states that have such benefits in their programs. The paper discusses the variations among states in covered services, cost sharing, and benefit caps.August 2007» -
Reauthorizing SCHIP: Principles, Issues and Ideas from State Directors
This April 2007 Issue Brief describes the current views of SCHIP directors on key issues being considered in the reauthorization process. While it does not capture all of the views of all of the states on all issues relevant to reauthorization, it represents the views of most states on issues of priority concern to them. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) deservedly enjoys broad support as a successful program. That success rests on a legislative foundation enacted as a result of careful bi-partisan compromise. Title XXI of the Social Security Act established a federal-state partnership program with a delicate balance of state flexibility and core program requirements. SCHIP was created with the goal of providing health coverage for low-income, uninsured children. This essential program, now serving more than six million, is up for reauthorization this year.April 2007 -
What Families Think about Cost-Sharing Policies in SCHIP
This paper reports on findings from a series of focus groups with parents of current and former SCHIP enrollees in Alabama, Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. The focus groups were designed to explore parents’ feelings about and experiences with cost sharing. The groups addressed the following topics: attitudes about paying premiums and copayments, opinions about premium and copayment amounts, and aspects of the premium payment process (such as periodicity, billing and payment methods, and penalties for late and missed payments). The focus groups were an invaluable tool in studying SCHIP, yielding nuanced, multifaceted results not attainable from surveys or analysis of enrollment data. The groups provided in-depth insight into parents’ experiences with their state SCHIP programs and the cost-sharing elements of those programs.October 2005» -
Perspectives on Reauthorization: SCHIP Directors Weigh In
SCHIP’s current period of authorization is scheduled to end after federal fiscal year 2007. As reauthorization nears, policymakers at both the state and federal levels have begun to focus on areas of concern within the program and to identify recommendations for reform and improvement. This issue brief summarizes the perspectives and recommendations of those who manage the SCHIP programs in the states.June 2005» -
Tough Choices: A Policy Maker’s Guide to Cost Containment Actions Affecting Children in Medicaid and SCHIP
This paper examines cost containment strategies in Medicaid and SCHIP and their potential impact on children enrolled in these programs. It is designed to help states think through cost control measures, the potential savings to be realized from such actions, and their impact on children and families. It identifies a menu of cost containment options that states have considered, along with the pros and cons of those options.February 2004» -
Reasons and Strategies for Strengthening Childhood Development Services in the Healthcare System
This report summarizes recent research on early brain development, highlights innovative practices in Washington, Kentucky, North Carolina, and California, and offers concrete steps states can take to strengthen early childhood development services.October 2002» -
Why Eligible Children Lose or Leave SCHIP
Based on focus groups and a telephone survey of nearly 4,000 parents, this report examines why eligible children have lost or lapsed SCHIP coverage. It also details parents' overall satisfaction with SCHIP and with such program components as cost, access, and the renewal process.February 2002»
