SDOH Archives - State of Reform

Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Carrie Butler, executive director of the Utah Public Health Association, discussed public health issues at the 2024 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference in March. Nolen said there is currently mistrust in public health authority. “[To improve public … Read more

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed three affordable housing bills into law: House Bill 538 (the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024); HB 599 (the Housing and Community Development Financing Act of 2024); and HB 693 (the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024). The bills fall in line with the Moore Administration’s goal of … Read more

A new bill that would require Medi-Cal health plans to cover social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings and provide access to community health workers is gaining support in the California Legislature. Assembly Bill 2250 would build on Medi-Cal’s ramped up efforts to incorporate health-related social needs into the traditional medical setting. It was approved by … Read more

California is the fifth-largest supplier of food and agricultural commodities in America, and produces about half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables. As the prices of groceries continue to rise, California legislators are working to address the growing rates of food insecurity through Assembly Bill 1961, known as the End Hunger in California Act of … Read more

The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) marked its 20th anniversary as an organization devoted to health reform and advocacy in Colorado with the release of its 2022 Annual Report on July 11th. The organization’s 2022 health agenda focused on three areas of concern in Colorado: health and climate, behavioral health, and integrating systems of … Read more

A new report includes several recommendations to improve healthcare in rural Tennessee communities, which center on workforce development, access to care, and social drivers of health (SDOH). Gov. Bill Lee established the Tennessee Rural Health Care Task Force in 2019 to improve health access and outcomes for rural Tennesseeans. The task force included … Read more

Health network leaders discussed how they’re working to improve social determinants of health (SDOH) and health equity at the 2023 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Angelo Edge, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Maryland, mentioned some incentives the organization is working on to address SDOH, including opening health education centers that focus on … Read more

The Illinois Legislature passed House Bill 1298, the state’s omnibus Medicaid legislation, during the 2023 legislative session, securing notable funding for Medicaid programs along with other targeted healthcare reforms that address areas such as access and children’s mental health. The legislation outlines overall state spending provisions for the Medicaid program, including reimbursement rates … Read more

On the 24th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School, the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) presented a series of solutions to strengthen the youth mental health ecosystem. Through an analysis of primary barriers to mental health and engagement with youth, parents, community and school-based advocacy groups, and policy thought leaders, CHI … Read more