Click to See the Interactive "State of the State" Matrix
to Compare Governors' 2009 Health Policy Plans
Since early January, state governors have been discussing health care in their annual "State of the State" addresses, despite not knowing exactly what the federal stimulus package or CHIP reauthorization would look like. Among the 40 speeches made through mid-February, the health policy messages varied in content and tone. The health-related provisions are summarized in an interactive feature.
Some governors expressed pride in recent coverage and access expansions and emphasized the need to maintain those gains during these rough economic times (e.g., AZ, MA, MD, NJ, NY, WI). Many governors, however, warned about necessary cuts in health spending due to the fiscal crisis (e.g., CA, CT, ID, WI, WY), or the need to raise revenues through taxes or fees (e.g., AR, CO, GA, OR, VA).
A few governors expressed hopes and laid out their plans to expand coverage or access further, despite, or perhaps in response to, the heightened needs resulting from the economic crisis (e.g., AZ, CO, ID, NY, OH, OR, UT, VA). Some proposed public coverage expansions, while others promoted ways to expand private insurance such as raising the age of dependent coverage (e.g., NY, OH, OR) or creating more affordable private plan options (e.g, ID, UT, VT). Below we highlight two states, New York and Idaho, whose governors presented ambitious, multifaceted health reforms for the coming year. The information is based both on the "State of the State" addresses and press releases, briefs, and other communications.