A number of states are developing programs to motivate public plan members to curtail smoking, lose weight, and access timely child immunizations and prenatal care. By providing rewards for healthy behaviors, these states are trying to give members a greater stake in improving their health status, enhance prevention and health outcomes, and reduce program costs. Read more »
Illinois All Kids, the first state-level universal coverage program for children, has had considerable success in its first year. Read more »
Healthy San Francisco is a new program that provides medical homes to the city's uninsured adults. Early enrollment has exceeded expectations--there were 1,900 members as of late September--and the program could eventually enroll all of the city's estimated 82,000 uninsured adults. Read more »
In an effort to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care, Washington State has joined New Jersey in requiring cultural competency training for certain health care professionals. Read more »
On August 28, the Census Bureau released new statistics showing that the number of uninsured children increased from 8 million in 2005 to 8.7 million in 2006. With estimates that a majority of uninsured children--about 5 to 6 million--are actually eligible for but not enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP, states are placing a greater emphasis on outreach. Read more »