In addition to the risks to individuals’ physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic affects every health care system in the United States (medical, public health, insurance) and each of their corresponding workforces. State legislatures have a responsibility and opportunity to ensure that these systems are operating effectively and equitably for the health of all people.
Resources:
- Health Data
- CDC guidance on COVID-19 symptoms and protection are updated regularly (Spanish version)
- Kaiser Family Foundation keeps an up-to-date tracker of state data (cases, deaths, and tests)
- The American Public Health Association hosts a series of evidence-based webinars on the science behind COVID-19 for the benefit of policymakers, public health/health care officials, and the general public
- State Policy Trackers
- Create and download custom state policy reports on the Kaiser Family Foundation
- Select from several health care policy categories in NCSL’s state actions database for summaries of state legislation on COVID-19 (both bill content and legislative progress)
- Testing and Tracing
- Guidance for state governors on COVID-19 testing capacity and strategies for consideration from the National Governors Association
- The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials provide summaries of contact tracing legislation introduced in the states and key considerations for drive-through and mobile testing
- State examples: South Carolina developed a testing plan that emphasizes testing in rural and under-resourced minority communities, urban areas, and congregate living areas
- Telehealth
- State-by-state policy actions on telehealth compiled by the Center for Connected Health Policy
- KFF analysis, infographics, and examples of state efforts to expand telehealth under Medicaid
- State Examples:
- New Jersey, Colorado, and Rhode Island introduced legislation that would expand telehealth coverage for audio-only appointments
- New Jersey enacted a bill that waives cost-sharing for telehealth services
- North Carolina, Iowa, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire are examples of states that introduced bills on ensuring telehealth payment parity
- Support for Health Care Professionals
- Minnesota passed a comprehensive health care bill to support front-line workers and their work environments
- The Federation of State Medical Boards keeps up-to-date lists of the states that have waived in-state licensure requirements, modified CME requirements, and expedited licenses for retired physicians and medical schools in several states have expedited graduation to get new providers out into the workforce
- The Center for American Progress outlines why it is important to provide child care for health care workers and to remove barriers for immigrant medical workers during COVID-19
- Public Health officials and workers are facing heightened attacks as they work to protect the health of communities around the country prompting professional associations to call on elected officials for increased protections.
- Insurance Regulations and Coverage
- This comprehensive COVID-19 resource page from Community Catalyst includes policy options and messaging tools, including general and state-specific social media graphics
- Track state plan amendments and other administrative actions to address COVID-19 on KFF’s Medicaid Emergency Authority tracker
- The Commonwealth Fund’s map of state coverage policies has a dropdown of actions that go beyond the federal minimum or existing state standards
- 8 recommendations for Medicaid and CHIP from State Health and Value Strategies
- State Examples:
- Louisiana and New Jersey enacted similar laws that waives or lowers cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment
- Ohio introduced a bill that would temporarily waive certain Medicaid requirements and expand financial eligibility to 200% for adults
- North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Kansas, and Florida made efforts to expand their state’s Medicaid plan