Medicaid agencies and public health departments are increasingly partnering to advance shared population health goals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 6|18 Initiative offers a practical framework to guide Medicaid-public health collaboration: a set of concrete, evidence-based prevention interventions that improve health and control costs. Over the past three years, 34 Medicaid and public health departments have jointly implemented 6|18 interventions focused on six high-burden, high-cost health conditions. Through these collaborations, states have enhanced the coverage, utilization, and quality of cost-effective prevention practices.

This webinar, made by possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, described CDC’s 6|18 Initiative and highlighted recent accomplishments from participating Medicaid-public health teams. Medicaid and public health representatives from Kentucky and New Hampshire discussed their collaborative efforts and successes in improving diabetes care and reducing tobacco use within the 6|18 Initiative. The webinar also described a new opportunity for Medicaid-public health teams to receive technical assistance under the 6|18 Initiative to advance prevention in their states.

See also this FAQ that answers questions submitted during the webinar.

Agenda

I. Introductions and Overview of 6|18 Accomplishments

Speaker: Meshie Knight, Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Tricia McGinnis, Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer, CHCS

M. Knight discussed the importance of Medicaid-public health collaborative efforts in meeting population health goals from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s perspective. T. McGinnis provided an overview of CDC’s 6|18 Initiative, highlighting common themes and select state accomplishments.

II. The Value of 6|18: Perspectives from CDC and CMS

Speakers: Kristin Brusuelas, Senior Policy Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Deirdra Stockmann, Technical Director, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Representatives from the CDC and CMS provided information on the value of Medicaid-public health team participation in the 6|18 Initiative.

III. Medicaid-Public Health Partnerships to Improve Diabetes Care and Reduce Tobacco Use

Speakers: Stephanie Bates, Department for Medicaid Services, Kentucky; Connie White, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Jane Hybsch and Donna M. Asbury, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services;

Medicaid and public health team members from two states presented on their participation in the 6|18 Initiative and highlighted their progress and accomplishments in improving diabetes care and reducing tobacco use.

IV. Moderated Q&A

Moderator: Shilpa Patel, Senior Program Officer, CHCS

V. Learn about New 6|18 Technical Assistance Opportunity

Speaker: Shilpa Patel

CHCS introduced the application process for the next phase of technical assistance to begin in January 2020.