State Health Watch Archives – February 1, 2004
February 1, 2004
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Newest batch of reports show the states’ budget pressures are easing
New data indicate that the continuous deterioration that plagued state finances for the past several years appears to be easing. The reports come from the National Governors Association (NGA), National Association of State Budget Officers, and the National Conference of State Legislatures. -
Fiscal Fitness: How States Cope - Washington state disease management stakes a claim for controlling costs, improving care
Recognition of Washington states Medicaid disease management program as Best Disease Management Program Medicaid by the Disease Management Association of America is helping focus attention on the value of such programs for controlling costs and improving health care in Medicaid. -
NCSL wants Medicaid flexibility, federal support
A Medicaid reform proposal released by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is driven by two factors the increasing need for the Medicaid program and the programs increasingly unaffordable cost to states. -
Washington case studies show DM programs work
According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia, studies have shown clearly that a relatively small number of beneficiaries with certain chronic illnesses account for a disproportionate share of Medicaid services. -
Measuring return on investment for DM isn’t easy
Because disease management programs do not provide instantaneous savings, the decision to invest in them represents a belief that savings will occur down the line as a result of the programs effectiveness. -
Youth smoking down despite weak programs
While states are coming under fire for not spending as much tobacco settlement money on smoking cessation programs for youth as they should, the American Legacy Foundations 2002 National Youth Tobacco Survey indicates that the prevalence of current smoking among high-school students declined in 2002. -
Clip files / Local news from the states
Medicaid plan would restrict nursing homes to truly poor; Nebraska unveils mental health plan