Maryland Total Cost of Care Model reduced spending by $365 million in first year
Matt Beuschlein | Jul 28, 2021 | Maryland
The Maryland Total Cost of Care (TCOC) Model reduced the state’s total cost of health care spending by $365 million in 2019, $88 million more than the reduction in spending from 2018, according to a recent report by Mathematica. The model tests if state accountability and provider incentives can improve
ADHS director steps down to take on Blue Cross role
Aaron Kunkler | Jul 28, 2021 | Arizona
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Director Dr. Cara Christ will leave her position on Aug. 27 for a leadership role as chief medical officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The news was announced in a press release from Gov. Doug Ducey’s office, in which he said Christ
Q&A: Erica Floyd-Thomas on suicide prevention and behavioral health in Florida
Nicole Pasia | Jul 28, 2021 | Florida
Erica Floyd-Thomas is the assistant secretary for substance abuse and mental health at the Florida Department of Children and Families. Thomas’ work encompasses everything from supporting community-based behavioral health services, to operating state mental hospitals, to overseeing mobile response teams for crisis stabilization. In Thomas’ words: “If you can think
Advocacy efforts to prevent overdoses
Michigan State Medical Society | Jul 28, 2021 | Michigan
According to preliminary state data, overdose deaths in Michigan increased by 14 percent between 2019 and 2020. It is estimated that 2,684 overdose deaths occurred last year with over 300 deaths occurring in May 2020 alone. In response to the growing overdose epidemic, the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) continues
Governor Ducey thanks ADHS director Dr. Christ for longtime, dedicated service to Arizona
Arizona Department of Health Services | Jul 28, 2021 | Arizona
Governor Doug Ducey today announced Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Director Dr. Cara Christ, who has been instrumental in the state’s COVID-19 response, will leave her position on August 27 for another leadership role as chief medical officer for Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona. “When Cara Christ became a doctor,
Video: Dave Schneider discusses behavioral health integration in Michigan
Patrick Jones | Jul 28, 2021 | Michigan
Dave Schneider, managing principal of Health Management Associates (HMA) spoke at our 2021 Michigan State of Reform Health Policy Conference to discuss the progress that has been made in behavioral health integration in Michigan. Schneider talked about the many attempts to integrate physical and behavioral health, the disruption
Intermountain webinar gives COVID-19 update after the holiday weekend in Utah
Patrick Jones | Jul 28, 2021 | Utah
Intermountain Healthcare hosted a webinar on Monday to give an update on the status of COVID-19 after the Pioneer Day holiday weekend in Utah. Dr. Taki May, medical director of Logan Regional Hospital and health care hospitalist, discussed breakthrough cases, symptoms and suggestions regarding the Delta variant, and recommended precautions
DSHS to award $10 million in grants to support local vaccination efforts across Texas
Texas Department of State Health Services | Jul 28, 2021 | Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services will award $10 million to local organizations working to promote COVID-19 vaccinations in Texas. The Texas Vaccine Outreach and Education Grant program will provide grants of $50,000 to $150,000 to a wide range of groups engaged in vaccine education with the goal of
Expanded Medi-Cal coverage, statewide HIE framework: Newsom signs omnibus health bill
Eli Kirshbaum | Jul 27, 2021 | California
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 133 on Tuesday, an omnibus health trailer bill sponsored by Asm. Joaquin Arambula that dedicates ample funding to health care reform. Among the bill’s provisions are expanding Medi-Cal coverage, support for youth behavioral health, and framework for a statewide health information exchange (HIE).
California nurses want stricter staffing level oversight. Hospitals don't agree
Eli Kirshbaum | Jul 27, 2021 | California
During one of California’s worst COVID-19 surges in December 2020, many nurses became responsible for more patients than usual, thanks to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s relaxation of the state’s nurse-to-patient ratio in hospitals earlier that month. California nurses are now fighting to prevent the resulting burnout from happening again. A bill
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