September 23 Update

In This Week’s Update:

  • Transforming Medicaid Outreach with WhatsApp
  • Improving Healthcare for Children, Youth, and Families
  • Assessing Coverage and Costs Associated With State-Funded Health Insurance for Immigrants
  • Breaking Down 2023 Health Insurance Coverage Estimates
  • State updates: CA, KY, MA, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NY, PA & RI

 

Improving Healthcare for Children, Youth, and Families
Despite advances in healthcare, children, especially those from historically marginalized groups, face rising rates of chronic diseases, obesity, and mental health challenges. A new report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Launching Lifelong Health by Improving Health Care for Children, Youth, And Families, presents a vision for transforming the child and adolescent healthcare system. The report also examines how the healthcare system can be better positioned to equitably address the needs of all children and families and leverage community supports. This requires transforming key components, such as healthcare financing, public health investment, community partnerships, and accountability strategies, to encourage team-based care delivery models and attention to health promotion, prevention, and root causes of health disparities.

 

Assessing Coverage and Costs Associated With State-Funded Health Insurance for Immigrants
Several states use their own funds to expand health insurance coverage to address uninsurance among non-citizens, and additional states have been considering similar insurance expansions. On Wednesday, September 25, RAND will host a webinar that provides an overview of a web-based tool that allows state policymakers and other stakeholders to estimate the enrollment and cost outcomes associated with expanding health insurance options to non-citizens. Researchers will review the motivation for and the methodology, scope, and limitations of the tool before demonstrating how to use it. As a reminder, SHVS has an interactive map of state-funded coverage programs for non-citizen populations.

 

Breaking Down 2023 Health Insurance Coverage Estimates
The State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) is hosting a webinar on September 26, covering the release of 2023 health insurance coverage estimates from two U.S. Census Bureau surveys–the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey. SHADAC researchers will discuss insights on new health insurance data at both the national and state levels, by coverage type, and by other demographic categories. Sharon Stern from the Census Bureau will join the webinar for a Q&A after the presentation.

 

Leveraging the Buying Value Resources to Advance Health Equity Measurement
SHVS will host a webinar on September 24 facilitated by experts from Bailit Health showcasing how the Buying Value suite of resources can help states, employers, consumer organizations and providers implement quality measures to incentivize high-quality, high-value, equitable healthcare. The webinar will highlight two free Excel-based tools. The Buying Value Measure Selection Tool assists stakeholders in creating and maintaining aligned quality measure sets. The Buying Value Benchmark Repository is a database of over 60 homegrown and innovative non-HEDIS measures in use by purchasers and also includes performance data when available. Registration (required): https://princeton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fEmmQyh4RbKmdtiUL2ccog 

 

State updates: CA, KY, MA, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NY, PA & RI

  • California
    • The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) awarded $56 million to expand early childhood mental health and wellness services. The 54 organizations awarded funding will expand access to early childhood mental health and wellness services, including services focused on prevention, early intervention, and resiliency/recovery for children, with a specific focus on those who are from the following groups: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
    • DHCS also awarded nearly $147 million to strengthen community health services to Medicaid members as part of the Providing Access and Transforming Health Capacity and Infrastructure, Transition, Expansion, and Development initiative, designed to help providers strengthen their ability to participate in the Medi-Cal delivery system and provide whole-person care to residents.
  • Kentucky – Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order officially banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors in the state. The executive order makes it illegal to use state or federal funds to provide conversion therapy on minors and gives licensing boards the authority to take disciplinary action against licensees found to have practiced conversion therapy on minors.
  • Massachusetts – Governor Maura Healey signed legislation that renames the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility, to reflect the administration’s goal of ushering in a new, more inclusive model for disability career services and independent living. The new name directly resulted from feedback from the disability community and was selected following research, focus groups, surveys, and conversations with the community, businesses, providers, and advocacy organizations.
  • Missouri – The Missouri Department of Social Services MO HealthNet Division announced the ElimiNATION Awareness Tour, part of the ongoing Project HepCure initiative, which aims to eliminate hepatitis C in the state. The ElimiNATION Tour will offer screenings for hepatitis C at no cost, regardless of health insurance status. The tour aims to raise awareness around hepatitis C, bringing testing resources directly to those in need. In partnership with local organizations, the tour will also facilitate linkages to care for individuals who test positive for the virus.
  • Montana – Governor Greg Gianforte announced a $4 million investment to support startup costs for any Montana institution of higher education launching Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy doctorate programs. The investment represents the next allocation of $300 million in funding secured by the governor last year to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems.
  • New Jersey
  • New York
    • Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package to ensure equitable access to essential healthcare services, including S.8486-C/A.9102-C, which requires Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services when treatment in place is administered and/or when transportation is provided to alternative healthcare settings instead of a general hospital.
    • The New York State Department of Health released a report showing persistent disparities in menthol cigarette use, highlighting the impact of aggressive tobacco industry marketing of menthol cigarettes in communities of color. An episode of Heather Howard’s podcast, the Princeton Pulse, dives into the ongoing debate about banning menthol cigarettes, which are more addictive and ultimately more harmful than tobacco-flavored cigarettes.
  • North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services published the 2024 Health Disparities Analysis Report. The report offers a comprehensive view of the effects of health disparities on health outcomes across North Carolina and highlights opportunities for improvement and action.
  • Pennsylvania – The Shapiro Administration announced that all school districts, career and technical centers, and charter schools will receive funding to provide free period products to students.
  • Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced the opening of applications for $2.25 million in grants to support homelessness prevention initiatives.