A big thank you to our Convening Panel members who recently came together to discuss the issues, speakers, and topics that will form the agenda for the 2022 Alaska State of Reform Health Policy Conference. We’re getting close to finalizing our Topical Agenda, which we will release in just a few weeks! In this edition of “5 Things We’re … Read more
The legislature finalized their version of the FY22-23 budget last week. In the remaining days of June, legislative leaders will meet with Gov. Newsom’s office to hash out remaining disagreements. The governor is required to sign a finalized version before the end of the month, but state leaders are likely to continue putting finishing touches … Read more
CalAIM’s Community Supports will result in reduced hospital admissions and increased cost savings for Medi-Cal, according to data from the Illumination Foundation (IF). CalAIM Community Supports include several housing-related services, such as housing transition navigation services, housing deposits, and short-term post-hospitalization housing. IF, a non-profit specializing in providing targeted health care and housing … Read more
Youth care officials are working to address the needs of youths exiting public systems of care in Washington State through several initiatives, but they say additional help is needed. Lawmakers discussed the issue during a Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee meeting on Wednesday. “The goals of the session are to better … Read more
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Trust) will distribute $1.55 million in grant funding to support housing projects that will serve homeless Alaskans struggling from behavioral health issues. Trust awards around $25 million in grant funding each year to organizations that work to support Alaskans whose needs fall into one of Trust’s key … Read more
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced $70 million in awards for six new Homekey projects throughout California. When fully operational, the projects will provide 232 housing units for people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Since the announcement of Governor Newsom’s $2.75 billion extension of Homekey last year, the state has approved 55 projects that will create 3,195 housing … Read more
As State of Reform continues to expand and grow, we’re excited to announce that we’ve hired a new full time reporter to cover the intersection of health care and health policy in Washington State. Shane Ersland comes to State of Reform with over 10 years of journalism experience, having most recently worked as an editor … Read more
The recently-signed Apple Health and Homes Act aims to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with housing under a new Medicaid benefit. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the act into law on March 30. The initiative will provide housing throughout the state by utilizing the newly-created Office of Health and Homes to acquire housing to … Read more
Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley (D – Tucson) has represented Arizona’s 9th Legislative District since 2016. She currently sits on the House Health & Human Services, Regulatory Affairs, and Ways & Means Committees. In this Q&A, Powers Hannley discusses her focus on maternal and child health legislation for this session, as well as her continued advocacy … Read more
Heading into the 2022 legislative session, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle stressed the importance of finding ways to support the state’s health care workforce. In this edition of “5 Things We’re Watching,” we bring you an update on some the workforce policy currently under consideration in the legislature. We also have a Q&A with Sen. David … Read more