News & Updates
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November 8, 2018News & Updates, State Efforts
USofCare Applauds Passage of Medicaid Expansion Ballot Initiatives
With the passing of Prop. 2 in Idaho, Initiative 427 in Nebraska and Prop 3 in Utah, these three states become the most recent to join the list of states who have expanded Medicaid. The passage of these initiatives shows that when politicians fail to act, the people will. Now that the people have spoken, leaders in these states should move as quickly as possible to implement these expansions so people can get the care they need.
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November 5, 2018Mental Health, Minnesota, News & Updates, State Efforts
Duluth News Tribune – Tough days for those in pain – Minnesota must improve its mental health parity
Access to mental health services is elusive for many, and deaths from drug and alcohol misuse and suicide have skyrocketed. Few individuals who have a mental health need get the care they need. In Minnesota, mental health parity must be improved so that it is no longer seen as a separate and distinct element from physical care. Read the full op-ed on Duluth News Tribune.
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November 5, 2018News & Updates, State Efforts
In These Four Red States, Health Care is on the Ballot
Polling has consistently shown health care, and health care affordability, to be a top concern of voters heading towards Election Day. Tomorrow, voters in Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, and Montana have the chance to weigh in on health care initiatives and Medicaid expansion. We will be watching closely to see how voters weigh in and how elected officials respond. When you strip away political labels, Americans just want affordable health care.
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November 2, 2018Affordability, News & Updates, State Efforts
TIME: Forget ‘Repeal and Replace’ The One Issue Unifying Americans is Affordable Health Care
The one issue unifying Americans is affordable health care. Read this TIME article for more on how solutions to ensure affordable health care must come from the states, not Congress.
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November 1, 2018Affordability, News & Updates
Health Care Affordability: The View from the Kitchen Table
A new brief released today with our research partner Penn LDI discusses different ways to define health care affordability. Affordability can be defined as an economic concept, as a threshold established in law by policymakers, and, most importantly, the kitchen table perspective. Policymakers should carefully consider the conversations that happen around the kitchen table and whether their proposed solutions will help people who need it.
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November 1, 2018Affordability, News & Updates, Resources
What is “Affordable” Health Care?
“Affordability” of health care is a common concern, but the term is rarely defined. This brief considers the different types of affordability and reviews a range of measures that capture the cost burden for different types of individuals and families. It also identifies key issues policymakers should consider to transform affordability into a policy aim.
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October 31, 2018Affordability, News & Updates, Resources, State Efforts
Prescription Drug Prices: Problems, Solutions, and What States Can Do
The price of prescription drugs has increasingly been a topic of public concern over the last several years. Americans believe that Congress and the President are not doing enough about the problem. This brief identifies drivers of rising prescription drug costs and reviews ways that states can address them.
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October 16, 2018News & Updates, Resources, State Efforts
States Are Ready to Act
On our listening tour, USofCare has been learning from the health care leaders who are advancing state initiatives. We found that the desire for action on health care is strong, bipartisanship is emerging across the country, and states are eager for help and shared learning. We look forward to continuing to work with experts and advocates from across the country to support state solutions.
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October 12, 2018Federal Efforts, News & Updates
The Hill: Focus on states for health care solutions this midterm election
During the midterm election season, voters who care about health care should focus on state-level decision makers. Viable policy solutions on health care are highly unlikely to come out of our nation’s capital in the near future due to the political climate. This op-ed encourages voters to focus on candidates running for governor and state legislature instead of putting all their faith in federal candidates.