A State Policymakers’ Guide to Federal Health Reform - Part I: Anticipating How Federal Health Reform will Affect State Roles
Many critical aspects of federal health reform will be implemented by the states. Through program design, regulations, policies and practices, state decisions and actions already play a profound role in shaping the American health care system. Both the House and Senate reform proposals would dramatically change the federal structure within which state health policy operates. Part I of this State Policymakers’ Guide provides a high-level view of existing state roles in the health care system and how federal reform will affect those roles.
State Policymakers’ Priorities for Improving the Health System
This State Health Policy Briefing presents the issues identified by NASHP’s state leadership as their most significant priorities for improving their health systems. As Academy members discussed their priorities, a set of broader themes emerged.
Supporting State Policymakers’ Implementation of Federal Health Reform
States will have enormous short-term and long-term needs for assistance as they grapple with federal health reform legislation. Significant federal and private resources to support state-level implementation will be necessary. Implementation support must be defined and coordinated quickly. Technical assistance must be provided in a manner that corresponds with state needs. State officials should be involved in the design of technical assistance so that it is most effective given varied state circumstances, needs, and capacities.
Building on Success to Effectively Integrate Current Children’s Coverage with National Health Reform: Ideas from State CHIP Programs
This State Health Policy Briefing was developed by the National Academy for State Policy (NASHP) with state Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP) directors as well as other state officials working toward covering all children. The brief discusses key considerations for policy makers and stakeholders working on national health reform to sustain gains and support further improvement efforts for children’s coverage now underway through both CHIP and Medicaid.
