As states grapple with the economic impact of COVID-19 and focus on closing budget shortfalls, Medicaid programs will likely take center stage, since Medicaid typically accounts for the largest portion of a state’s budget — 20 percent on average. As such, states may... more
Improving the oral health of children in Medicaid and CHIP is a priority for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and for states across the nation. Oral health Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs) offer a key strategy for states with managed care p... more
In most states, Medicaid programs and public health departments share responsibility for addressing the oral health needs of low-income residents, yet these agency often operate in silos. To achieve broad and optimal improvements in oral health, Medicaid dental program ... more
In California, like many states, fragmented systems for delivering physical and behavioral health care for Medicaid beneficiaries often lead to access barriers, care disruptions, and a lack of care coordination – in many cases, resulting in poor health outcomes and hi... more
As Medicaid agencies, health plans, providers, and other health care organizations seek to address long-standing health care inequities, building meaningful partnerships with community members, especially those in marginalized communities, is critical. Compensation ... more
Young children and their families benefit from aligned health and social supports and services to promote healthy development, meet their health-related social needs (HRSN), and foster nurturing relationships with caregivers. Yet, many early childhood and family-facing... more
Nine out of 10 adults in the U.S. struggle with health literacy, the skills necessary to understand and use health information to make important care decisions. Limited health literacy contributes to worsened health outcomes, greater costs, and even higher mortality. L... more
State institutions, including Medicaid agencies, can proactively pursue strategies to promote health equity in their communities. These include, for example, collecting data to identify health disparities and collaborating with community members, especially those who a... more
