Health Equity
FEATURED RESOURCE CENTER
Population Health Components of State Innovation Model (SIM) Plans: Round 2 Model Testing States
/in Policy Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington Charts Accountable Health, Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Care Coordination, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Housing and Health, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home, Quality and Measurement, Social Determinants of Health, Value-Based Purchasing /by NASHP WritersThe Round Two State Innovation Model (SIM) Test Awards granted by HHS to eleven states (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington) support state efforts to build multi-payer models of health system transformation. As noted in a previous analysis, population health improvement is an important component of the […]
The Healthier Washington Initiative Promotes Accountable Communities of Health Statewide
/in Policy Washington Blogs Accountable Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home, Quality and Measurement, Social Determinants of Health /by Taylor KniffinAt a recent NASHP preconference, Improving Health, Lowering Costs: Translating Population Health into Effective State Policy, we heard from Washington State about the innovative work currently underway as part of its Healthier Washington initiative. This panel featured MaryAnne Lindeblad from the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) and two local perspectives: Patty Hayes, Director of Public […]
To Improve Health and Lower Costs, Oregon Gets Flexible
/in Policy Oregon Blogs Accountable Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Health Equity, Housing and Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHP WritersWhen it comes to keeping members healthy—not just treating them when they’re sick—the Oregon Health Authority knows it can pay to be flexible. Through its 1115 demonstration, Oregon’s Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) can pay for non-medical services that improve the health of their members while lowering costs. CCOs are local networks of Medicaid providers that […]
Leveraging State Resources to Create a Culture of Health
/in Policy Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHP WritersFrom Alaska to Vermont, there is broad recognition across states that improving health and lowering costs requires policymakers to build links between initiatives aimed at reforming the delivery system and those that address factors outside of traditional health care that extend to work, family, and community life. Implementing this vision challenges states to find new approaches […]
State Strategies for Integrating Health Care and Housing for Homeless Individuals and Families
/in Policy Webinars Accountable Health, Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Blending and Braiding Funding, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Health Equity, Housing and Health, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHPThis webinar offered participants an opportunity to learn about cross-agency levers states can use to meet the housing and health needs of homeless populations. The webinar also addressed the financing mechanisms, data infrastructure and strategic partnerships that facilitate the blending of health care and housing funding streams.
Oregon’s Bridge to Value-Based Payments for Community Health Centers: A Win for Medicaid, Providers, & Patients
/in Policy Oregon Blogs Accountable Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home, Quality and Measurement, Social Determinants of Health, Value-Based Purchasing /by Mary Takach and Ledia TaborStates are developing new ways to pay Medicaid providers based on quality and efficiency over number of visits. However, these payment options can present challenges for states in integrating safety net providers into their efforts. In Oregon, Medicaid and the state’s Primary Care Association (PCA) have embarked on an alternative payment model that is breaking […]
Community Health Worker Models in Evolving State Health Care Systems
/in Policy Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Care Coordination, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Long-Term Care, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home /by NASHP and Jackie LeGrandCommunity health workers (CHWs) are often employed to improve health equity, cultural competency, health literacy and access to care, among other issues. Because they have such varied roles, there are many definitions of CHWs; however, they are commonly identified by their in-depth understanding of the population they serve. On a recent State Refor(u)m webinar, speakers […]
Building an Equitable Health Care Delivery System: Federal and State Strategies
/in Policy Louisiana, Ohio Webinars Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHPThursday, April 2, 2015: Federal and state policymakers are increasingly focused on addressing health disparities as part of their approach to improving health, improving health care quality, and reducing costs. This webinar discusses aligning payment models, creating new partnerships, and building infrastructure and data systems to achieve health equity. Speakers from Ohio and Louisiana describe their states‘ health equity initiatives and federal programs they are leveraging. An official from the CMS Office of Minority Health describes federal resources to help states advance health equity and opportunities for alignment of federal and state activities.
Achieving a Culture of Health: Governors Weigh In
/in Policy Accountable Health, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Housing and Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by NASHP and Kaitlin SheedyGovernors hold a unique capacity to help promote a culture of health using the tools of their state governments in purchasing, regulating, and policymaking. In their 2015 State of the State or inaugural addresses, governors referenced a variety of health issues and are recognizing the need for policies to focus more broadly in order to […]
Achieving a Culture of Health: Governors Weigh In
/in Policy Blogs Accountable Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Health Equity, Healthy Child Development, Housing and Health, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health /by Kaitlin SheedyGovernors hold a unique capacity to help promote a culture of health using the tools of their state governments in purchasing, regulating, and policymaking. In their 2015 State of the State or inaugural addresses, governors referenced a variety of health issues and are recognizing the need for policies to focus more broadly in order to […]
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. 
Resources for States to Address Health Equity and Disparities
/in Policy Toolkits Accountable Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Benefit, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Featured Policy Home, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health Health Equity /by NASHP WritersMany states are transforming their health care delivery systems to improve health and control costs. Reducing health disparities — and addressing their social and economic causes — is at the heart of many of these efforts.