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Actions: States are moving to pre-empt federal health care reform: the California Senate passed a bill to establish a state-run single payer system; the Virginia Senate passed a bill to pre-empt any federal individual insurance mandate; and Arizona has a ballot initiative in November. Politico
Trends: Americans continue to be divided on their support of health care reform generally, however both parties support specific provisions of the bills being considered in Congress. Kaiser Tracking Poll Walgreen CEO said health reform underway as his company reshapes to be community health care provider through in-store clinics. Reuters
Urban Institute: State-by-state estimates of those currently uninsured who would be covered by Medicaid under proposed federal health reform |
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State Medicaid and Coverage Reform |
Actions: New Jersey joins Ohio in a pilot program to reduce the burden of health billing paperwork for doctors and hospitals. The New York Times Maryland court upholds cap on non-economic damages in most medicalmalpractice cases. The Baltimore Sun With record enrollments in state Medicaid programs, 29 states are considering or have implemented reductions in benefits or provider payments. The Washington Post
Trends: Due to rising unemployment, every state experienced an increase in Medicaid enrollment in 2009. Kaiser Family Foundation By 2011, federal and state governments will pay for more than 50 percent of all health care costs, due to increased enrollment in government sponsored health insurance. The Wall Street Journal
Academy Health: reviews 2009 state initiatives to reform health systems and coverage |
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Actions: Nebraska Legislative Bill 992 would authorize use of expedited partner treatment to prevent spread of STDs. The Omaha World-Herald Wisconsin Assembly Bill 458, preventing abstinence-only education, passed the House and Senate. The Reporter Kentucky House Bill 119 would establish minimum criteria for school sex education curricula. The Courier-Journal Mississippi House approved House Bill 837 allowing school districts to offer an "abstinence-plus" curriculum to students, with parental consent. The Clarion-Ledger Utah Senate Bill 54 would require teaching contraception as part of sex education. The Salt Lake Tribune
California Senate Bill 1029 would allow purchase of sterile syringes without a prescription to help reduce rates of blood-borne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. San Francisco Chronicle
Trends: Although the new HIV infection rate in blacks is stable, in part due to increased awareness through the annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, rates in African-American women are 22 times higher than white women. Black Enterprise During February, about 30 churches in the Kansas City area hosted services to increase HIV/AIDS awareness in the African-American community. KCUR News Minnesota reported new HIV infections grew 13 percent in 2009, the largest increase in 17 years, partially attributed to misconceptions among youth that HIV is curable. Star Tribune
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Injury Prevention |
Actions: Massachusetts, Kentucky, Florida, Maryland and Kansas are considering bans on texting while driving, and the U.S.Department of Transportation made the practice illegal nationally for commercial truck and bus drivers. The Boston Globe, The Courier-Journal, Associated Press, The Baltimore Sun, Kansas City Star, CNN.com Mississippi House Bill 512 makes pseudoephedrine, used illicitly in the production of methamphetamine, available only by prescription. The Commercial Appeal
Trends: Alcohol taxes reduce excessive drinking, according to the Community Guide release on the systematic review of research. The U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends alcohol excise taxes to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms, such as alcohol-impaired driving, motor vehicle crashes and fatalities, and deaths from cirrhosis of the liver.
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Disease Prevention and Treatment |
Actions: First Lady Michelle Obama takes up childhood obesity prevention, announcing the Let's Move initiative. White House.gov, USA Today U.S. Department of Agriculture issued new regulations to improve safety and quality of food purchased for the National School Lunch Program. USA Today Louisville Department of Health and Wellness director Dr. Adewale Troutman recommends against trans fat ban. The Courier-Journal Philadelphia begins to phase in menu labeling requirements. The Philadelphia Inquirer Tennessee adopted legislation that prevents local health departments from requiring calorie counts on chain restaurant menus. Tennessean Los Angeles launched six initiatives to improve access to nutritious foods. Los Angeles Times Idaho approved new standards for physical education in K-12 schools. Idaho Statesman
West Virginia House Bill 4253 would raise beer taxes to fund substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts. The Charleston Gazette
Trends: Obesity in children and youth should be aggressively treated, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Children age 6 years and older deemed obese by clinicians should be offered intensive behavioral programs to improve weight status, according to the review of current research.
North Dakota is the only state funding tobacco prevention programs at recommended levels, and many states reduced programs in 2009. The Nation's Health North Dakota smoking quit lines saved $5 million in health care costs. North Dakota Department of Health North Carolina is among states considering approval of mid-level dental practitioners to provide services in rural areas with no dentists. The News & Observer
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Pandemic Flu and Immunizations |
Actions: U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services have asked governors and state attorneys general to monitor and report incidents of price gouging for antiviral drugs and the administration of H1N1 vaccine. Flu.gov1, Flu.gov2
Trends: Although deaths from the H1N1 flu, which primarily affect youth and adults under 65, are far less than annual seasonal flu deaths, the flu season is expected to last several more months. Los Angeles Times
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Health Information Technology |
Actions: U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services announced $1 billion in grants to states, providers and job training for health information technology. The Washington Post Virginia received $24 million in federal funding over four years to improve transfer of electronic health information. The Virginian-Pilot Kentucky received more than $12 million to improve electronic health information exchange. Business First of Louisville |
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CSG Health Resources |
50-State Trends Facts and Figures: HIV/AIDS
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Must-Reads from Health Policy Director Debra Miller 
