State Medicaid agencies and public health departments are increasingly finding value in working together 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 two years, Medicaid and public health departments have jointly implemented 6|18 interventions that prevent or control six high-burden, high-cost health conditions — with each agency bringing a complementary set of perspectives, skills and resources to the table. As a result of these collaborations, states have achieved notable successes that enhance the coverage, utilization, and quality of cost-effective prevention practices.

This webinar, made by possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, provided an overview of CDC’s 6|18 Initiative and highlighted recent accomplishments from participating Medicaid-public health teams. Medicaid and public health representatives from Colorado and Nevada described key activities, collaboration strategies, and lessons from their efforts to reduce tobacco use and prevent type 2 diabetes under the 6|18 Initiative. The webinar also featured CHCS’ Resource Center for Implementing CDC’s 6|18 Initiative — a new online resource with practical how-to resources, tools, and state examples to help Medicaid, state and local health departments, and other payers and purchasers implement 6|18 interventions. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the event.

Agenda

I. Introductions and Overview of 6|18 Accomplishments

Speakers: Meshie Knight, Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Maia Crawford, Senior Program Officer, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS)

Meshie Knight discussed the importance of Medicaid-public health collaborative efforts in meeting population health goals. Maia Crawford provided an overview of CDC’s 6|18 Initiative, highlighting common themes and select state accomplishments from the last two years.

II. State Spotlight: Colorado’s Path to Enhancing Tobacco Cessation Benefits

Speakers: Michelle Lynch, Tobacco Cessation Supervisor, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; Richard Delaney, Policy Specialist, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Michelle Lynch and Richard Delaney described Colorado’s tobacco cessation activities under the 6|18 Initiative framework. They detailed the distinct yet complementary roles of Colorado’s Medicaid and public health agencies and highlight the state’s accomplishments in increasing access to tobacco cessation treatment through policy changes and targeted provider and consumer outreach strategies.

III. State Spotlight: Nevada’s Approach to Promoting Access to the National Diabetes Prevention Program

Speakers: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services: Jenni Bonk, Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Section Manager, Division of Public & Behavioral Health; Erin Lynch, Chief III, Hospital & Physician Services, Division of Health Care Financing and Policy

Jenni Bonk and Erin Lynch described Nevada’s work, supported by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, to advance the state’s type 2 diabetes prevention activities. They detailed Medicaid and public health’s collaborative efforts to obtain Medicaid coverage for the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and educate providers and beneficiaries about DPP benefits and referral opportunities.

IV. Introduction to CHCS’ Resource Center for Implementing CDC’s 6|18 Initiative and Future Resources for States

Speakers: Alissa Beers, Senior Program Officer, CHCS; Maia Crawford, CHCS  

Alissa Beers provided a brief overview of the resource center, highlighting the web site’s key features. She also shared examples of available resources, including “Getting Started: CDC’s 6|18 Initiative” — a newly developed guide from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Ms. Crawford also outlined upcoming resources and opportunities for states interested in pursuing 6|18 Initiative interventions.