Skip to main content

COVID-19, State Efforts

State Spotlight August 29, 2020

Published On August 29, 2020

By: Joanna Dornfeld

Share

New resources to help you manage during the COVID crisis.

USofCare Health Care State Legislative Candidate Guides Featured in the Washington Post

Last week, USofCare released state legislative candidate guides that were featured in the Washington Post. We have now added pocket guides that include the most essential information for direct voter contact and candidate forums. All of the candidate education materials can be found on USofCare’s Resources page.

The guides include key health care data and effective health care policy solutions as well as key messages – informed by our current COVID experience – to inform candidates’ priorities and conversations with voters about their health care challenges. Health care remains one of the most important problems facing America. Voters are concerned about access to and the cost for health care and insurance. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the need for effective solutions that address both the immediate challenges and the long-term gaps in our health care systems to ensure people can access quality health care they can afford. You can find the candidate guides and pocket cards here:

If you would like more information about USofCare’s candidate education materials or would like to request a briefing, contact us at [email protected].

State Action: How Colorado stakeholders used a creative solution to improve access to health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic

While COVID-19 has continued to be the most critical health care priority among state policymakers, states have also made progress advancing other promising health care priorities. In Colorado, our partners were instrumental in passing legislation in June to improve access to more affordable health insurance. This blog provides an overview of the policy, how it is structured to help people, and how other states can learn from Colorado’s approach. Stay tuned for a second part of this blog, where we interview the authors on building a coalition to help bring more affordable coverage to Coloradans.

Biweekly COVID-19 Public Opinion Roundup

Despite more than 1,000 daily deaths, concern over the outbreak is starting to decline again after rising in recent weeks.

  • Among all adults, 56% remain “very” concerned—a decline from 62% just a couple of weeks ago on August 10th.[Morning Consult]
  • The number of Americans who say they would receive a vaccine should one become available is also on the decline. 54% say they would receive a vaccine—down from 61% in July. [Morning Consult]
  • However, the majority of Americans continue to practice safe choices. Two-thirds of respondents reported wearing a mask at all times when leaving the home. [Axios-Ipsos]

COVID is touching more lives, but disproportionately impacting people of color.

  • A majority of Americans (58%) know someone who has tested positive, a new high point that is anticipated to continue rising. [Axios-Ipsos]
  • In addition, almost a quarter (22%) know someone who has died from the virus, though racial differences remain high as it relates to deaths: 39% of Black Americans, 31% of Hispanic Americans, and just 18% of white Americans know someone who has died from the disease. [Axios-Ipsos]

COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on individuals’ mental health and wellbeing.

  • Coronavirus-related mental health concerns are on the rise, with 53% of adults in the U.S. now reporting a negative impact on their mental health as a result of the pandemic—up from 32% in March. [KFF]
  • An analysis by Well Being Trust and the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies projects that based on the current economic downturn due to the pandemic, an additional 75,000 deaths by suicide and alcohol or drug misuse may occur over the next decade. [KFF]

Join Our Team! USofCare Career Opportunities

We are seeking talented individuals to join our team to lead our communications and media work and lead our people-centered research and community engagement. Joining our team means opportunities for career growth, mentorship, and collaboration with and learning from renowned leaders in U.S. health care policy. At every level we value and prioritize inclusion and diverse perspectives. Seeking unity over uniformity, we pay attention to the diverse interests, abilities, needs, and backgrounds of every employee and strive to create an environment where everyone is heard and feels that they belong. We are currently recruiting for the following positions. Learn more here.

United States of Care COVID Rapid Response for State Leaders

USofCare’s mission to ensure that every single American has access to quality, affordable health care has never been more important than in the current public health crisis. We have been providing immediate support for state and federal government and public response needs, leveraging our expertise (including our Board and Founder’s Council), capacity, network and resources to support effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams of USofCare’s staff are researching and responding to incoming requests, which can be sent to [email protected].