The Illinois Rural Health Association (IRHA) held a webinar last week highlighting different in-demand health careers that require an associate degree. Margaret Vaughn, executive director of IRHA, said the association wanted to inform young students and people looking for a career change of the wide variety of healthcare jobs they can pursue. “Everyone knows just … Read more
Leaders met at the 2024 Hawaii State of Reform Health Policy Conference to discuss challenges with access to rural healthcare in the state. Much of the conversation related to increasing the healthcare workforce through encouraging students to enter the field while providing supportive programs. Rosie Davis, executive director of the Maui County Area Health Education … Read more
As many Minnesotans’ access to healthcare continues to be impacted by workforce shortages, inadequate interoperability of healthcare data, and barriers in rural areas, healthcare leaders met last month at the 2023 Minnesota State of Reform Health Policy Conference to discuss the best solutions and opportunities to increase healthcare access in the state. Kelly Asche, senior … Read more
Health program leaders in rural Tennessee discussed the challenges of expanding access to care in their communities and how they are addressing them at the 2023 Tennessee State of Reform Conference in November. The Tennessee Department of Health says the inaccessibility of vital resources outside of urban areas contributes to rural communities’ struggle to maintain … Read more
The Texas Primary Care Consortium (TPCC) outlined its 2023 policy priorities during a virtual presentation on Thursday, placing legislative efforts around maternal healthcare, Medicaid modernization, and transition to value-based payments at the forefront. Led by the Texas Medical Home Initiative and the Texas Health Institute (THI), TPCC is a statewide, collaborative initiative with … Read more
Special shoutout to our reporter Shane Ersland, who has done some great reporting in the state recently and is an instrumental part of State of Reform’s presence in Washington. Feel free to reach out to Shane at any time with story leads as he continues to track the most pressing topics in Washington State health policy. This … Read more
The Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is putting policies around workforce support and regulatory streamlining at the top of its 2023 legislative agenda. During a virtual call with members and stakeholders on December 7th, CHA Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Joshua Ewing, outlined the agenda in a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Ewing … Read more
This month’s newsletter includes a breakdown of recommendations presented to the Arizona House’s Teen Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee, the Arizona Center for Rural Health’s proposals for continuing to support the struggling rural health workforce, and insight from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association about mitigating the decreasing financial operating margins that Arizona hospitals are … Read more
In this month’s newsletter we feature a conversation on rural health care with ORPRN’s Dr. Melinda Davis, a video on federal health policy from HHS Regional Director (Region 10) Ingrid Ulrey, and details on Oregon’s recently-approved Medicaid mobile crisis services program. We also have a couple of updates on our upcoming 2022 Oregon State of … Read more
In this edition of “5 Things We’re Watching,” we feature the latest data on the total cost of care growth in Maryland, a story on health and the gubernatorial election, and a Q&A with Jonathan Dayton, Executive Director of the Maryland Rural Health Association. Thank you for reading! Emily Boerger State of Reform 1. Health … Read more