Hawaii healthcare employers call for less travel nurse usage, hiring more ‘clinical educators,’ and conducting recruitment efforts in high schools to respond to ongoing workforce shortage
Shane Ersland | Jan 27, 2023 | Hawaii
Hawaii healthcare workforce professionals discussed initiatives designed to attract much-needed workers to the field during the 2023 Hawaii State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Janna Hoshide, senior director of healthcare workforce development at Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH), referenced the 2022 Healthcare Workforce Initiative Report HAH released a
CDHS advocates for more support around healthcare workforce before House Committee
Boram Kim | Jan 27, 2023 | Colorado
The executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Michelle Barnes, testified before the House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday that the department has a critical staffing need. In her testimony, Barnes outlined three departmental priorities for the upcoming fiscal year:
Florida’s Senate Committee on Health Policy discusses upcoming Medicaid redeterminations
Hannah Saunders | Jan 26, 2023 | Florida
Florida’s Senate Committee on Health Policy met earlier this week to discuss Medicaid redeterminations, which will take place starting in April. The committee also discussed the procurement process for Medicaid managed care plans since the current contracts expire on December 31st of 2024. In Florida, Medicaid serves more than 5.5
Michigan Gov. Whitmer calls for repeal of Michigan’s 1931 abortion law
James Sklar | Jan 26, 2023 | Michigan
For the first time in over 40 years, there is a Democratic House, Senate, and governor in the state of Michigan. With a trifecta government, many sources have been anticipating that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would share the healthcare-related priorities she hopes to accomplish over the next four years while she’s
Bill would strengthen reproductive rights in Washington’s constitution
Shane Ersland | Jan 26, 2023 | Washington
A bill that would strengthen reproductive rights for Washingtonians in the state’s constitution sparked passionate remarks, both in support of and in opposition to the proposed amendment, during a legislative meeting on Tuesday. Members of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee held a public hearing for
Utah bill proposes expanding dental care coverage to adults under Medicaid
Boram Kim | Jan 26, 2023 | Utah
Senate Bill 19, a measure that would extend dental benefits under Medicaid to adults 21 years of age and older, advanced to the House after passage in the Senate by a vote of 19 to 0 with 10 abstentions Monday. Sponsored by Sen. Evan Vickers (R - Cedar
California Department of Public Health releases RFP for campaign to reduce behavioral health stigma for youth
Hannah Saunders | Jan 26, 2023 | California
This week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced it is seeking requests for proposals (RFPs) to support the state’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative—a key measure in California’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health—through public awareness campaigns. Prevention and early intervention can assist with reducing the risk
5 Things Utah: Lawmakers discuss 2023 health bills, Trans healthcare prohibition, BH in the legislature
Eli Kirshbaum | Jan 25, 2023 | Utah
The legislature commenced this year's legislative session on Jan. 17th and health committees are slated to hold their first hearings on bills this week. Reporter Boram Kim has been monitoring health-related bills as they're introduced and advanced, and we will continue to provide updates on key bills as the session continues. Thanks for reading!
Series of bills would provide additional regulation of PBMs in Oregon
Shane Ersland | Jan 25, 2023 | Oregon
Oregon lawmakers discussed bills that would provide additional regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) during a House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care meeting on Tuesday. Numi Rehfield-Griffith, senior policy advisor for the Division of Financial Regulation at the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), said
Michigan Sen. Anthony introduces bills to mandate mental health coverage, end ‘chemical restraint,’ and allow excused mental health absences for students
James Sklar | Jan 25, 2023 | Michigan
On January 18th, 2023, State Senator Sarah Anthony (D – Lansing) introduced Senate Bills 27, 28, and 29, which is a set of bills addressing mental health issues in Michigan. “In recent years, we’ve seen an uptick in mental health issues, particularly among our young people,” Anthony said.