Report: States and Health Reform

[ProSense]

States and Health Reform: NASHP Brief Looks at Health Reform Provisions That Support State Improvement Goals

A new report from the National Academy for State Health Policy looks at "specific Affordable Care Act provisions that support state system improvement goals." The report also profiles health care initiatives in 10 states that are aimed at improving quality and efficiency. The profiled states include Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The states profiled “were selected based on 2009 findings indicating that these states were leaders in coordinating quality improvement strategies through public–private partnerships, and that these states’ efforts were being integrated into broader state health care reform agendas.”

The report also “provides specific ideas for how other states can capitalize on the new legislation to make substantial quality and efficiency improvements in their health care systems. And it provides key examples to inform the federal guidance and regulations that will be needed to implement the bill.”

Report PDF: State Strategies to Improve Quality and Efficiency: Making the Most of Opportunities in National Health Reform

There is an acknowledged need for extensive reform to the health care delivery system in the United States. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act offers unprecedented opportunities to transform care delivery, with numerous provisions that support systemic improvements. States have an imperative to greatly improve system efficiency if they are to effectively and sustainably implement the law’s changes, particularly mandatory coverage expansion. This report examines specific Affordable Care Act provisions that support state system improvement goals and profiles efforts in 10 states: Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The report highlights the opportunities and challenges that federal health care reform will bring and offers suggestions for how state and national leaders can streamline implementation.

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[KT2000]

1. already out of date

Washington is dumping its health care insurance for low income workers and cutting back on many health programs for those in need, at least in out governor's budget. Washington cannot be considered a leader any longer.

[ProSense]

2. Lot of budget cut talks going on

Jerry Brown in CA is slashing.

Still, I don't see these states halting there push to implement the health care law.