The Texas Medical Association (TMA) said its top priorities this legislative session are issues around scope-of-practice and women’s reproductive health. As part of its interim report for the current session, the House Select Committee of Health Care Reform (HSCHCR) recommended increased funding for medical education and workforce development to expand the supply of … Read more
Leaders from both the House and Senate released their respective chambers’ preliminary budgets for the 2024-2025 biennium on Wednesday. Both budgets propose nearly $289 billion from total funds and $130.1 billion in general revenue, some $50 billion short of the $188.2 billion that the state has available to appropriate over the next cycle, including a … Read more
Democratic lawmakers have filed a series of health-related bills in the upcoming legislative session that aim to improve maternal, reproductive, and mental health access and equity for Texans. Texas has both the highest uninsured rate and the largest uninsured population in the country. Nearly 12% of children and a quarter of adults aged … Read more
A bill recently introduced in the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee would require Michigan pediatricians to offer postpartum mental health screenings to new mothers. Senate Bill 1198, introduced by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), would require state pediatricians to offer mental health screenings that have been approved or developed by the … Read more
The Arizona Legislature is now seeking a bipartisan budget as negotiations continue, says Senate Health and Human Services Committee Vice Chair Sen. Tyler Pace (R – Mesa). With Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposed budget failing to pass the House Appropriations Committee in a 6-7 vote, Pace told State of Reform that the legislature has until the … Read more
We are now less than two weeks out from the 2022 Florida State of Reform Health Policy Conference! We’re thrilled to be able to bring you 2 keynotes, 15 breakout sessions, and close to 60 curated speakers who will talk through some of the most pressing issues facing Florida’s health care system. In this edition of “5 Things … 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
Happy March! This newsletter includes an update on health legislation we’re monitoring, the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s input on Gov. Newsom’s budget proposals, and Blue Shield’s efforts to reduce maternal and infant health disparities. Thank you for reading! Eli Kirshbaum State of Reform 1. Policy movement in the legislature Sen. Richard Pan—along with members … Read more
Earlier this month, Blue Shield of California announced their Maternal Child Health Equity initiative, which is focused on addressing disproportionately low mortality rates among mothers and children in underserved communities. The initiative aims to provide quality family-centered services to new and expecting mothers in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Sacramento counties through physician referrals. … Read more
Rep. Amish Shah (D – Phoenix) told State of Reform about some of his key legislative priorities this session, including bills concerning anti-discrimination, affordable housing, maternal health, and emergency medical services. He said he is optimistic about these bills going far in the legislative process, especially the ones that have bipartisan support. As … Read more