SCI publications: newsletters

a collection of recent program newsletters, with complete text available online

September 2008

Welcome to State Coverage Initiatives St@teside E-newsletter
Through a Shift to Public Insurance, Fewer U.S. Residents Lacked Coverage in 2007
Massachusetts Sees 439,000 Newly Insured Residents During the Past 21 Months
Massachusetts Governor Signs Bill Focused on Cost Containment, Transparency and Efficiency
New Jersey Governor Signs Bill to Improve Access and Hospital Functioning
New Mexico Approves Modest Funding Increase to Cover Additional Children
Washington State Funds Health Record Bank (HRB) Pilot Programs
State Employees’ Health Benefit Plans Adopt Health and Wellness Programs
State Coverage Initiatives Summer Meeting
AcademyHealth’s Upcoming Events
Reports of Interest

July 2008

New Jersey Governor Signs Health Reform Legislation
New Hampshire Enacts Legislation to Assist Small Employers
Maryland Begins Implementation of Reforms
Ohio Health Reform Recommendations
Federal Medicaid Regulations Delayed
Regulating the Reserves of Non-Profit Insurance Plans
New SCI Issue Brief on Provider Taxes
Profile in Coverage: Healthy Indiana Plan
New SCI Resources Available on Section 125 Plans
AcademyHealth's 25th Annual Research Meeting Highlights
AHRQ Quality Indicators Learning Institute
News from AcademyHealth
Reports of Interest

June 2008

Only One Week Left to Register for SCI's Summer Workshop for State Officials
Massachusetts Unveils More Promising Data Regarding Impact of Reform
Iowa Enacts Health Care Reform Legislation
Recent State Updates
States, Federal Government, and Private Plans End Payment for "Never Events"
President of Kaiser Family Foundation Gives Keynote Address at the Annual Research Meeting
The State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting Held June 7
Reports of Interest

May 2008

Only One Month Left to Register for SCI's Summer Workshop for State Officials in San Francisco
SCI's Reinsurance Institute Issues Final Report
Recent State Updates
Minnesota Legislature Passes Historic Health Care Reform Legislation
Maine Passes Funding Package for DirigoChoice Health Plan
Enrollment in Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus Program Exceeds Expectations
California Consumer Groups, Regulators, and Government Officials Focus on Health Coverage Rescissions
Register Now For State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting
GAO Reports Highlight CMS Directive, Health Savings Accounts, and State Budgets
Reports of Interest

April 2008

Welcome to State Coverage Initiatives St@teside E-newsletter
Registration Now Open for SCI's Summer Workshop for State Officials
Update on Implementation of Coverage Expansions
CMS Testifies At Least Nine States Will Meet Revised SCHIP Eligibility Guidelines
New Report on Future SCHIP Funding
CHAT - A Structured Method to Think about Benefit Design
States Chosen to Participate in Health Care Quality Improvement Institute
Registration Now Open: State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting
State Health Initiatives Featured at AcademyHealth's 25th Annual Research Meeting
2008 Special Topic Solicitation in Public Health Research
Reports of Interest

March 2008

State Coverage Initiatives St@teside E-newsletter Has a New Look
New SCI Report Highlights State Efforts to Rise Against the Inertia of the Status Quo and Advance Health Care Reform
State Coverage Initiatives Summer Workshop for State Officials to be held in San Francisco
Recent State Updates
State Efforts to Expand Coverage to Children Face Federal Challenges
Save the Date: State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting
State Health Initiatives Featured at AcademyHealth's 25th Annual Research Meeting
New SCI Issue Brief Provides Update on ERISA Court Decisions
Reports of Interest

February 2008

SCI Awards Coverage Institute Grants
Recent State Updates
Update on Federal Activities
State Coverage Initiatives National Meeting
Presentations Now Available from State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Policy Breakfast
State-Related Sessions of the National Health Policy Conference Now Available
Health Services Research Publishes Two-Volume Special Issue on State-Level Research
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Provides Grants to Bolster State Health Reform Efforts
Reports of Interest

November/December 2007

State Coverage Initiatives is moving
New State Health Reforms Enacted
New Mexico Unveils New Health Care Reform Proposal
States Consider New Recommendations
State Coverage Initiatives Winter Meeting to be Held in Nashville, TN
State Coverage Initiatives Summer Workshop for State Officials to be held in San Francisco
New SCI Publication on Marketing State Insurance Coverage Programs
Hold the Date: Cyber Seminar on Maine's Experience in Expanding Coverage
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Activities
News from AcademyHealth
Reports of Interest

October 2007

State Health Reform Update
SCHIP Reauthorization Act of 2007
Coverage Institute Kick-off Meeting Held in September
Coming Soon from AcademyHealth
National Congress on the Un- and Underinsured to Feature Leaders in Health Policy and Health Services Research
Reports of Interest

September 2007

State Health Reform Updates
New Health Insurance Information Released
RWJF Names New Deputy Director for State Coverage Initiatives Program
New SCI Publication on Health Insurance Connectors and Exchanges
New Publication on Efforts to Expand Coverage to the Uninsured
SCI Summer Workshop Held in Denver, Colorado
Employment Opportunity at State Coverage Initiatives
Reports of Interest

July/August 2007

Martinez-Vidal Named SCI Director
SCI Announces States Participating in the Coverage Institute
New State Updates
Implementation Work Continues in Massachusetts
New Publication on Auto-Enrollment: Strategies for Enrolling Eligible Populations
Reinsurance Institute: Final Meeting
State Health Access Reform Evaluation Call for Proposals to be Released Aug. 6
Reports of Interest

June 2007

New State Updates
NGA and NASBO release The Fiscal Survey of States, June 2007
Commonwealth Fund Releases First State Scorecard June 2007
Save the Date: Summer Workshop for State Officials to be Held August 2–3, 2007 in Denver
State Coverage Initiatives Announces New Coverage Institute
New Publication Examines the Impact of TennCare Changes
The State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting Held June 2
Upcoming HCFO Special Topic Solicitation to be Released on June 25th
Reports of Interest

May 2007

State Coverage Initiatives Announces New Coverage Institute
State Coverage Initiatives Bids a Fond Farewell to Alice Burton
New State Updates
States Enact New Laws to Increase Dependent Coverage
Save the Date: Summer Workshop for State Officials to be Held August 2–3, 2007 in Denver
The State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting is June 2
Full Agenda Available for the 2007 Annual Research Meeting (ARM)
Public Health CyberSeminar: Regionalizing Public Health Systems
Reports of Interest

April 2007

New State Updates
Save the Date: Summer Workshop for State Officials to be Held August 2-3, 2007 in Denver
Profiles in Coverage: Healthcare Group of Arizona
Update on Federal Activities
Census Bureau Revises Number of Uninsured
Twenty-Seven States Awarded Medicaid Transformation Grants
Cover the Uninsured Week is April 23-28, 2007
Save the Date: The State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting is June 2
Full Agenda Available for the 2007 Annual Research Meeting (ARM)
Reports of Interest

March 2007

Save the Date: Summer Workshop for State Officials to be Held August 2–3, 2007 in Denver
Updates on State Reform Initiatives
SCHIP Reauthorization Update
SCI’s Coverage Matrix Updated
The AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting
Save the Date: State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting
NEW: 2007 Special Topic Solicitation in Public Health Systems Research
Reports of Interest

February 2007

New State Reform Proposals
State of the Union Address
Federal Update: FY 2008 Budget
SCHIP Scheduled for Reauthorization
Governors Take on Health Care and the Uninsured
New Publication on ERISA Implications for State Coverage Strategies
State Coverage Initiatives National Meeting
Reports of Interest

January 2007

2007 State of the States Now Available
California Governor Unveils Comprehensive Reform Plan
Pennsylvania Builds on Prior Expansion for Children and Proposes Comprehensive Reforms
New Coverage Proposals from Wisconsin and Indiana
States Looking to Extend Coverage to All Children
New Proposal from the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Activities
Toward More Effective Use of Research in State Policymaking
News from AcademyHealth
Reports of Interest

November 2006

State Coverage Initiatives Winter Meeting to be Held in New Orleans
Election Round Up: Governor's Races and Ballot Initiatives
Oregon Lays Groundwork for Universal Coverage Plan
Utah Modifies Program to Help Uninsured Workers Participate in Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
Maryland's High Risk Insurance Pool Offers Income Subsidy Program
Profiles in Coverage: Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage
New Publication on ERISA Implications for State Coverage Strategies
States Face SCHIP Federal Funding Shortfalls in Fiscal Year 2007
America's Health Insurance Plans Announces Vision for Universal Coverage
New Issue Brief on Health Plan Benefit Design
News from AcademyHealth
Reports of Interest

October 2006

New Health Insurance Information Released
Massachusetts Health Reform Implementation Update
Universal Coverage Bill Vetoed in California
State Coverage Strategies in Progress
Coming Soon from State Coverage Initiatives
Coming Soon from AcademyHealth
Reports of Interest

September 2006

Paving the Way: Proposed Federal Bills to Support State Innovations in Health Care
Blue Ribbon Commission to Evaluate Maine's Dirigo Health as Court Upholds "Savings Offset Payments"
California Terminates PacAdvantage Program
New SCI Publication: Pennsylvania's Community Health Reinvestment Agreement
SCI Summer Workshop: "State Innovations in Health Coverage"
Go Behind the Scenes of Decision-Making in Washington
Coming Soon from AcademyHealth
Reports of Interest

July 2006

Judge Finds “Wal-Mart” Bill Invalid
Administration Eases Medicaid Citizenship Documentation Requirement
Two New Invitational Programs Available from SCI
Issue Brief on Medicaid Consumer-Directed Health Purchasing Now Available
New State Coverage Reforms Enacted
Coverage Implementations and Updates: Massachusetts, Florida & Maryland
San Francisco Approves Universal Access Bill
Register Now for AcademyHealth’s Health Policy Orientation
Reports of Interest

June 2006

SCI Summer Workshop for State Officials: Register Now!
New Technical Assistance Program Available from SCI
Idaho Redesigns Medicaid
Medicaid HIFA Waiver Comparison: Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma
New Medicaid Citizenship Documentation Requirement
Individual and Employer Mandates: Renewed State Interest
Vermont Blueprint for Health
Illinois Scheduled to Begin All-Kids on July 1, 2006
Call for Papers on Access to Health Care
Reports of Interest

May 2006

Vermont Moves Toward Universal Coverage
CMS Approves Medicaid Redesign Plans for Kentucky and West Virginia
Health Care Reform Bill Fails to Clear Senate
Cyber Seminar on the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Activities
Save the Date: SCI Summer Meeting
Reports of Interest

April 2006

Massachusetts Passes Landmark Bill
Tennessee Governor Proposes New Health Care Reforms
Insure Montana
West Virginia Enacts Health Reform Bill
Wyoming Seeks New HIFA Waiver
Update on Federal Activities
Cover the Uninsured Week 2006 Highlights State and Local Health Care Strategies
Save the Date: SCI Summer Meeting
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Activities
Reports of Interest

March 2006

Uncharted Territory: Current Trends in Section 1115 Demonstrations
Profiles in Coverage: New Mexico State Coverage Insurance
Federal Waiver Approved for Arkansas
Governors Push to Provide Coverage for All Children
States Debate Insurance Market Reforms
Update on Federal Activities
The Impact of Premium Assistance Programs on Low-Income Populations
HCFO Findings Brief – Bridging the Gap: The Role of Individual Health Insurance Coverage
Save the Date: SCI Summer Meeting
SCI National Meeting
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Activities
Reports of Interest

February 2006

Federal Update: Budget Reconciliation and The State of the Union
Issue Brief on Medicaid Consumer-Directed Health Purchasing Now Available
Illinois Considering New Guidelines for Tax-Exempt Hospitals
Governors’ Speeches Include Concerns about Health Care
State of the States Report on Health Coverage Expansion Initiatives Now Available
2006 National Meeting for State Officials
Reports of Interest

January 2006

2006 National Meeting for State Officials
Maryland’s Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto of “Wal-Mart” Bill
Federal Budget Reconciliation
Health Care Reform Proposals Moving in Massachusetts
Illinois to Cover All Kids and Expand FamilyCare
Discover statecoverage.net
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Activities
National Health Policy Conference February 6-7, 2006 - Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
Reports of Interest

November 2005

Discover statecoverage.net
Federal Budget, Reconciliation, and Medicaid
Virgin Island's Health Reform Initiative Gaining Momentum
Oklahoma Premium Assistance Plan Approved by CMS
National Health Access Program Enrolling Workers
Child Health Promotion Conference Slated for December in Wilmington, Del.
Reports of Interest
Coming Soon from State Coverage Initiatives

October 2005

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Federal Response
New Profile in Coverage: West Virginia's Small Business Plan
SCI Grantee Highlight: Georgia Examines Feasibility of a Premium Assistance Program
High-Risk Pool Now Operational in West Virginia
Vermont and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Reach Agreement on a New Waiver
New HRSA State Planning Grants Awarded for 2005
State Coverage Initiatives Awards New Planning Grants
Understanding Your Insurance Market: What Do You Know? What Do You Need to Know?
Reports of Interest
Coming Soon from AcademyHealth

September 2005

Census Bureau: 45.8 Million Americans Uninsured in 2004
State Medicaid Program Activities
Update on Federal Legislative Activities
New Mexico State Coverage Insurance Goes Live
Wisconsin and Arkansas Purchasing Cooperatives Increase Access to Health Insurance
AcademyHealth to Conduct Health Policy Orientation October 24–27, 2005
SCI Summer Workshop: "Moving Beyond Planning"
Consumer-Directed Health Care: Research and State Policy Implications
Reports of Interest
Coming Soon from State Coverage Initiatives

July 2005

“Moving Beyond Planning” – SCI’s Summer Workshop for State Officials
New Study Examines the Effects of Potential Federal Coverage Strategies
Massachusetts Governor Proposes Major Health Care Reform
Vermont Governor Vetoes Health Care Bill
GAO Releases Report on Medicaid Financing Practices
Medicaid Advisory Commission Members Named
State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting
State Challenges Highlighted at AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting
HCFO Program Releases New Brief on Health Savings Accounts
Reports of Interest

June 2005

Recent State Legislative Activity
“Moving Beyond Planning” – SCI’s Summer Workshop for State Officials
In Focus: More Answers on Reinsurance
New Medicaid Commission Established
Annual Research Meeting: State Health Research and Policy Interest Group
National Health Care Coalition Releases Cost and Savings Estimates for System-wide Reform Scenarios
Reports of Interest

May 2005

NEW Profile in Coverage: Maine's Dirigo Program
"Pay or Play" Law passes in Maryland
Implications of the New Federal Bankruptcy Law on Health Consumers
Congress Passes Federal Budget Resolution with $10 Billion in Cuts to Medicaid
Annual Research Meeting: State Health Research and Policy Interest Group
Registration Now Open for SCI Summer Meeting
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

April 2005

Many States Looking for Innovative Ways to Expand Coverage to New Populations
Federal Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Update
New SCI Brief: State and Community Collaboration
SCI Announces New Grant Funding for States
2005 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, June 26-28 in Boston
Materials Now Available from ERISA Cyber Seminar
Cover the Uninsured Week, May 1-8, 2005
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

March 2005

Health Still a Priority for Governors in 2005
Ask the Expert: ERISA's Implications for State Health Care Access Initiatives
Federal Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Proposal: Implications for Medicaid Reform
National Health Access Program
Insurers Help Coverage Program in Pennsylvania
Enrique Martinez-Vidal Joins State Coverage Initiatives Team
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

February 2005

States Forced to Make Tough Choices on Medicaid
SCI Releases States of the States 2005
Oklahoma submits HIFA Waiver to CMS
Medicaid Reform and Health Care Cost Lead Discussions at the SCI Winter Meeting
HRSA Announces New FY 2005 State Planning Grants
Employer-Based Coverage Declines among Low-Income Groups
AcademyHealth Career Center Profiles Amy Lischko
Reports of Interest
Coming Soon from SCI

January 2005

New Year, New Health Reform Proposals
New SCI Profile in Coverage: Healthy New York
CMS Approves Idaho’s HIFA Waiver
Insight for Medicaid Reform from Utah's PCN?
Federal Appropriations Update: HRSA State Planning Grants and High-Risk Pools
Report Assesses Federal Health Data for Coverage, Access, and State-Specific Needs
Last Call for SCI National Meeting for State Officials!
SCI Holds Meeting on Modeling Coverage Expansions
SCI Welcomes Donald Cohn
Reports of Interest
Coming Soon from SCI

November 2004

Save the Date: SCI Winter Meeting, February 3 - 4, 2005
Outcome of State Coverage-Related Ballot Initiatives
Louisiana Governor Proposes Tax Breaks for Businesses Offering Health Insurance
SCI Team Helps Hawaii Sort Out Coverage Issues
Invitational Summit for State Policymakers: Medicare Part D Implementation Issues
Report Finds that State Spending on Medicaid Will Soon Eclipse Education
Access to Mental Health Services for Youths Varies Across States
Coming Soon
Reports of Interest

October 2004

SCI Releases Issue Brief on State Reinsurance Efforts
Premium Assistance Toolbox Available Online
SCI/HCFO Cyber Seminar on Consumer-Driven Care Available Online
Rhode Island's RIte Care Celebrates 1-years
HRSA Awards Next Round of State Planning Grants
Pennsylvania Program's Waiting List Hits All-Time High
Kaiser Releases Employer Health Benefits Survey
Coming Soon
Reports of Interest

September 2004

New SCI Brief Explores Implications of HSAs
SCI Sponsors Meeting on Public Purchasing Collaboration
Uninsured Rose by 1.4 Million in 2003
In Tough Budget Times, Illinois Continues to Expand Coverage
Dirigo Sign-up to Begin this Fall
Montana Ballot Initiative Could Increase Health Funding
Hawaii Builds on a 30-Year Commitment to Coverage
Brief Explores Effects of Tiered Formularies on Costs and Utilization
Report Gives Update on Individual Health Insurance Trends
SCI Says Goodbye to Jeremy Alberga
Coming Soon
Reports of Interest

August 2004

New Brief on Limited Benefit Plans
SCI Releases ERISA Preemption Update
SCI Grantee Highlight: Coverage Options for Health and Human Service Workers
Oklahoma Ballot Initiative Will Determine Funding to Expand Coverage
Louisiana's PATH to Better Coverage
SCI Supports Covering Kids & Families
Children in Out-Of-Home Placement at Risk for Inadequate Coverage
New Resource on Health Outcomes
Health Policy in Washington: Learn How It's Made
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

July 2004

SCI Summer Workshop: States Compare Notes on Coverage Strategies
SCI Co-Funds New Brief on Dirigo Health Reform Act
SCI and Rutgers Release New Medicare Report and Will Hold State Meeting This Fall
New Briefs Synthesize Research on Coverage Issues
SHADAC Releases Chartbook of Health Care Access Indicators for States
AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting Informs State Policymaking
SCI Recruiting New Associate
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

June 2004

Last Call! SCI Summer Meeting: "Pressing Forward: Cuts, Coverage, and Creativity"
Health Care Tax Credits: Early Lessons from the Trade Act
A Closer Look at Cost Sharing in Public Programs: National and State-Specific Studies Provide Lessons to States
Update: Premium Assistance Toolkit
Cover the Uninsured Week Wrap-Up
Safety Net “Crowding Out” Private Health Insurance for Childless Adults
Database Captures Health Services Research Projects in Progress
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

May 2004

HIFA Waivers in the Pipeline
SCI Summer Meeting for State Officials, June 28 – 29, 2004
HRSA Provides New State Planning Grant Funding
Cover the Uninsured Week, May 10 – 16, 2004
New Tools for Monitoring Safety Net Performance
Studies Examine How Medicaid and Welfare Changes Affect Pregnant Women
Coming Soon from SCI
Reports of Interest

April 2004

Welcome from State Coverage Initiatives (SCI) Director
Save the Date: SCI Summer Meeting, June 28-29
New Profile in Coverage: Pennsylvania's Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
West Virginia Passes Legislation to Help Small Businesses Cover Their Employees
SCI Funds Implementation of Maine's Dirigo Reform
SCI to Co-Host Meeting on Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
AcademyHealth Launches Online Interest Group for State Health Policymakers
HCFO Research Sheds Light on Employers' Decisions to Self-Insure
Reports of Interest

October 2003

Dual Eligibles the Focus of State and Federal Health Care Debates
SCI Helps States Fine-Tune Premium-Assistance Programs
Directors Letter
Reports of Interest
Q & A with Paul Wallace-Brodeur
New from SCI

April 2003

Addressing Economic Challenges with Creativity: State Officials Respond
Letter from the Director
States Seek Savings Guarantees for DM Programs
SCI Small-Group Consultations
SCI Hosts National Meeting: Stretching Dollars and Building Partnerships
Uninsured a Key Issue at National Health Policy Conference
One Senator’s Vision for Universal Coverage
Q & A with Ray Hanley
What’s New

August 2002 - No. 8

Oregon and Rhode Island Refine their Premium-Assistance Programs
Hawaii and Maine: Using SCI Grants to Plan Policy
SCI Helps Washington Think About Community Pooling
Q & A with Rica Lewis-Payton
SCI Workshop Focuses on Cost Containment

April 2002 - No. 7

SCI Hosts National Meeting for State Officials
Arizona Receives Nation’s First HIFA Waiver
Utah Receives First-of-Its-Kind Waiver
Q & A with Governor John Kitzhaber
Reports of Interest
New Mexico Develops Next-Generation Employer Buy-In

October 2001 - No. 6

SCI Announces Grant Recipients
HHS and State Flexibility
SHADAC Helps States Understand the Uninsured
Pennsylvania's HIPP Program

July 2001 - No. 5

Medicaid Reform, NGA's Proposal, and HHS
Bush Proposes Block Grants for Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance
High Risk Pools Growing
Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont Form Drug-Buying Pool

March 2001 - No. 4

CMS Issues Final Rules for SCHIP
Medicaid Programs Face Budget Concerns
Communities Partner with States to Expand Coverage and Services

November 2000 - No. 3

New York Individual and Small-Group Market Reforms
Unspent FFY 1998 SCHIP Funds
HRSA State Planning Grantees and Their Objectives

July 2000 - No. 2

States Extend Pharmaceutical Coverage to Seniors and Other Vulnerable Populations
States Use the Internet to Streamline the SCHIP Application Process
SCHIP and Children with Special Health Care Needs

March 2000 - No. 1