Read more »
The state of Minnesota has joined with private business and labor groups in a "Smart-Buy Alliance" to drive quality improvements and efficiencies in the health care delivery system. While Alliance members continue to purchase health care individually, they have agreed to set uniform performance standards, cost/quality reporting requirements, and technology demands on health plans and providers and to favor providers and health plans that are certified for highest quality. Together, the Alliance members buy health insurance on behalf of about 70% of state residents. Read more »
California counties are taking creative approaches to guarantee that all low- to mid-income children have access to health coverage. As of April 2005, 10 counties have implemented and another 18 are planning Children's Health Initiatives (CHIs). Read more »
Oregon's new Children's Group Plan allows small business owners to provide comprehensive coverage for children of their workers even if they cannot afford to cover their employees. Read more »
Building on a pilot program begun in 2003, Illinois will implement "3-share" coverage in four counties this July to help small employers provide health insurance to their employees and dependents. Read more »
Wisconsin farmers are pooling their purchasing power to enhance access to affordable coverage. Made possible through a state law giving Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC) the ability to form five health care cooperatives, the new health care purchasing co-ops will negotiate and contract with local insurers to establish health plans for their members. Read more »
A number of states have joined together to allow residents, regardless of income, to purchase lower-cost pharmaceuticals from more than 60 approved pharmacies and prescription drug wholesalers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Illinois initiated the I-SaveRx program in October 2004, and since then Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, and Vermont have joined. Read more »
In July 2004, Hawaii implemented the Hawaii Rx Plus program to provide discounted pharmaceuticals to residents who do not qualify for Medicaid, have an income below 350% of the federal poverty line, and have no other drug coverage. Read more »
Community Care of North Carolina, an innovative and cost-effective Medicaid disease management program in which local networks of primary care providers coordinate prevention, treatment, referral, and other services for Medicaid enrollees, has continued to expand toward statewide implementation. Read more »
Kentucky is implementing a Pilot Diabetes Disease Management for Medicaid enrollees. The project will serve people in Bell and Floyd Counties, which together have 6,100 residents with diabetes—the highest incidence in the state. Read more »
DirigoChoice, Maine's health plan designed to help small businesses and uninsured individuals obtain affordable, quality health coverage, has reported strong enrollment through March. Read more »