State News

90 percent of Tennesseans had health insurance in 2018, with just over half the population getting job-based coverage through an employer, according to a report from the Sycamore Institute. Authors also noted that marketplace plans are a relatively small source of coverage in Tennessee—3 percent in 2018. Men, people of color, younger adults, the unemployed, and those with less education and income were more likely to be uninsured. 

A children’s health education museum in St. Louis has created an on-line community guide to over 100 health services in an effort to help Missouri residents find free or low cost care, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Users can search by type of service needed (such as prescription assistance, vision or emotional health) or can search by location within several state regions and counties. “While a visit to the museum can help motivate children and adults to strive for healthier lives, we recognize there are a number of families throughout Missouri who struggle to afford medical care and other health services,” said Shannon Laine, museum CEO. “By creating the community guide, we aim to help those in need by offering a one-stop resource for those looking to access healthcare organizations, programs and resources at a discounted rate.”

One in four direct caregiver positions at Wisconsin’s nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are vacant, up from one in five two years ago, reports the Wisconsin State Journal. A 2020 survey revealed that as many as 20,655 jobs are open at long-term care facilities, compared to 16,500 in 2018. Citing these alarming statistics, experts have called for expanding a state program aimed at increasing the number of nurse aides and reducing required training for certified nursing assistants from 120 hours to 75 hours. 

A recent Commonwealth Fund case study reported on New Mexico’s community health workers (CHWs) who link vulnerable residents to organizations that address the need for stable housing, legal assistance and job training. The practice of embedding CHWs into medical settings in New Mexico began in earnest more than a decade ago with a pilot between University of New Mexico Hospital  and a Medicaid managed care organization. The CHWs provided both navigation and social supports — connecting members to medical homes, making home visits and encouraging adherence to treatment recommendations. A study found these efforts reduced emergency department visits and hospital admissions as well as use of prescription drugs (including narcotics) and produced a fourfold return for the health plan that sponsored it.

Legislation increasing access to, and the affordability of, health insurance for New Mexico families passed both the state House and Senate, reports the Los Alamos Daily Post. The bill codifies Affordable Care Act requirements for state-based health insurance exchanges and authorizes BeWellNM to continue moving toward becoming a fully state-based exchange.  

The California Health Care Foundation released its second annual California Health Policy Survey, identifying mental health, the provider workforce, and lowering prescription drug prices as top priority issues for Californians, reports State of Reform. Healthcare affordability continues to be a primary concern, with more people reporting that they are worried about unexpected medical bills, out-of-pocket costs for health services and prescription drug costs compared to last year. There is also an increase in the number of people who skipped or postponed care due to cost.

Idaho legislators have established the Idaho Behavioral Health Council, a new three-branch approach to improve care for Idahoans with mental health and substance use disorders, reports the Office of the Governor. State legislators will work collaboratively with local government, educators, and community partners to develop a statewide strategic plan with action-oriented, time-bound recommendations that improve access to behavioral healthcare.

Implementation of a Virginia Medicaid program responding to the opioid crisis by expanding treatment coverage and reforming delivery systems decreased the likelihood of having an emergency department visit by 9.4 percent, according to Health Affairs. Virginia combined a Section 1115 waiver with a comprehensive reform to its Medicaid substance use disorder treatment services to implement the Addiction Recovery and Treatment Services program focused on increasing access to evidence-based addiction treatment services for Medicaid beneficiaries. 

The Federal Communications Commission authorized more than $6.7 million in funding over 10 years to expand broadband access in rural Oklahoma, reports Tulsa World. The investment will reduce barriers to healthcare by supporting telehealth, as well as increase educational and economic opportunities, for over 2,400 unserved homes and businesses within the state.