Resources for Community Leaders, Legislators, and Other Health Policy Makers
The following resources may be of assistance to you if are a community leader, legislator, or other health policy maker looking for assistance with improving health care access. Some files require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or better.
Categories
Virginia
-
The Access Project: Getting Health Care When You Are Uninsured: A Survey of Uninsured Patients at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia
The survey was conducted in the summer of 2000 and gathered information from 221 uninsured patients who obtained health care at Inova Alexandria Hospital in the previous year. The report also compares their experiences with those of uninsured patients surveyed at other Community Access Monitoring Survey sites across the country who received care at similar facilities.
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/Tenants%20and%20Workers.pdf -
Community Health Resource Network
A Virginia non-profit corporation providing research, education, and technical assistance for community health improvement.
http://www.communityhealthresource.net/ -
Virginia's Academic Health Centers: Mission-Related Services And Cost
Cover page (pdf)
Table of Contents(pdf)
Executive Summary(pdf)
Chapter I of the IHC Report (pdf)
Chapter II of the IHC Report (pdf)
Chapter III of the IHC Report (pdf)
Chapter IV of the IHC Report (pdf) -
Virginia Consortium for Health Philanthropy: List of hospital conversion foundations and their contacts throughout the state. (Word Document)
-
Virginia Health Care Foundation Current Projects
Contact List (pdf) -
Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care
A Virginia legislative commission with reports and studies on health insurance and access for the uninsured.
http://legis.state.va.us/jchc/report.htm#access -
Virginia Center for Healthy Communities
An independent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of Virginia's communities.
http://www.vahealthycommunities.com/ -
Virginia Health Care Foundation
The Virginia Health Care Foundation promotes and funds local public-private partnerships that increase access to primary health care services for medically underserved and uninsured Virginians.
http://www.vhcf.org/ - “Who Cares? Examining Greater Washington’s
Health Care Workforce”
In a first-ever, region-wide study released on June 3 by the Greater Washington Board of Trade’s Health Care Task Force, significant health care workforce shortages are documented throughout Northern Virginia, Suburban Maryland and DC. The study is part of the Board of Trade’s ongoing work to manage rising health care costs and improve the quality of care for area employees.
Executive summary: http://www.potomacconference.org/PDF/WhoCaresExecSumm.pdf
Full report: http://www.potomacconference.org/PDF/WhoCares.pdf
General
-
The Access Project: An Advocate's Guide to the Private Health Insurance Market
This is a primer on health insurance and public policy around health insurance. It described the complexiities and interdependencies of the present system, with the intent of helping advocates realistically appreciate the challenges in changing it.
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/Advocates_Guide.pdf -
The Access Project: A Community Leader's Guide to Hospital Finance - Evaluating How a Hospital Gets and Spends it Money
This guide provides a basic understanding of hospital finance so that community's can evaluate a hospital's charitable commitment to the health of their community.
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/Hospital_Finance.pdf -
The Access Project: Action Where it Counts - Communities Responding to the Challenge of Health Care for the Uninsured
This guide services as a primer on health insurance and related public policy for the relatively uninitiated, with the intent of helping advocates realistically appreciate the challenges in changing the current system.
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/survey.pdf -
The Access Project: Paying for Health Care When You're Uninsured - How Much Support Does the Safety Net Offer?
Based on the responses of over 6,000 respondents who received outpatient care at local hospitals and clinics, this report presents findings on the experiences of uninsured patients in trying to pay for their medical care and prescription drugs.
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/d_finreport.pdf -
The Access Project: How Many Uninsured - A Resource Guide for Community Estimates
A data resource guide to estimate the number of uninsured in a community. It includes four case-studies that illustrate how community organizations can effectively gather and use data to improve healthcare and access in their communities.
http://www.accessproject.org/downloads/uninsured.pdf -
Alliance for Health Reform
The Alliance for Health Reform provides an unbiased source of information about the nation's health care problems and the trade-offs posed by competing proposals for change. The Alliance offers a full array of resources and viewpoints, in a number of formats, to elected officials and their staffs, journalists, policy analysts and advocates.
www.allhealth.org -
American Benefits Council - Health Issues Index
The American Benefts Council is an advocate of voluntary employer-sponsored benefit programs. Its membership is comprised of professionals in the benefits field. They track legislation and have numerous policy papers related to the uninsured, consumer-directed health, universal health care, retiree health, and more.
http://americanbenefitscouncil.org/issues/health/index.cfm -
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
Represents the state and territorial public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia. ASTHO produces numerous position papers on public health policy and access to health care and health insurance.
http://www.astho.org -
Balancing Health Needs with Resources: State Options for Expanding Health Care Access
By Barbara Yondorf, Laura Tobler and Leah Oliver, National Conference of State Legislatures
PDF Document -
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)
Seeks to identify and develop opportunities to ensure fiscally sound budget and tax policies and to improve programs affecting low-income families and individuals. The Center produces numerous policy studies on health care issues including, “Improving Children’s Health: Chartbook About the Roles of Medicaid and SCHIP.”
http://www.cbpp.org/ -
Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
Conducts research, policy analysis, technical assistance and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low-income families with children. CLASP has performed extensive analysis of health care and head start and non-custodial parent medical child support regulations.
http://www.clasp.org -
Center for Studying Health System Change
The Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) is a nonpartisan policy research organization that designs and conducts studies focused on the U.S. health care system to inform the thinking and decisions of policy makers in government and private industry. Policy research topic areas include Insurance Coverage & Costs, Access to Care, and Local Markets & Managed Care.
http://www.hschange.org/ -
Citizens Healthcare Working Group
Congress has created a national forum to elicit citizens’ thoughts about how we should reform America’s health care system. And the voices of health professionals needs to be heard!
This is not “just another opinion poll” or one of those “endless discussions that never seem to change anything.” The Citizens' Health Care Working Group is mandated by Congress to hold a series of community meetings around the country to hear what you think. “It is a chance for every citizen to shape national policy: to get the facts, weigh the tradeoffs, and tell the President and Congress exactly how you want your health care system to change.”
http://www.citizenshealthcare.gov/ -
Community Catalyst
It is a national advocacy organization that builds consumer and community participation in the shaping of our health system to ensure quality, affordable health care for all.
http://www.communitycatalyst.org/ -
Communities Joined in Action
A private, non-profit organization, the Communities Joined In Action brokers access to value-added technical talent, peer-mentors from model communities, coaches with first-hand experience and experts that can help communities at every step in the process -- from gaining commitment of political leaders and evaluating health care delivery options to communicating financial returns and developing and financing business plans.
http://www.cjaonline.net/ -
Cost and Coverage Analysis of Ten Proposals to Expand Health Insurance Coverage
This document examines options for policies to extend health coverage to uninsured Americans. It contains proposals by leading health researchers and analysts that explore several alternatives for moving toward universal coverage.
http://www.rwjf.org/publications/publicationsPdfs/costCoverageMainAnalysis.pdf -
Cover the Uninsured Week
National campaign to mobilize and educate Americans about the plight of the uninsured and develop solutions to the problem.
http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/ -
Decision Guide: Expanding Health Coverage for Workers
A road map to help you review the options and assess the potential outcome of an employer health insurance expansion plan in your state
http://www.familiesusa.org/site/DocServer?docID=5244 (pdf) -
Economic and Social Research Institute
The Economic and Social Research Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institute, that conducts research and studies directed at enhancing the effectiveness of social programs, improving the way health care services are organized and delivered, and making quality health care accessible and affordable.
www.esresearch.org -
Employee Benefit Research Institute FAQs about Benefits - Health Spending
and Insurance Issues
http://www.ebri.org/benfaq/hlthfaq.htm -
Federal Poverty Level Guidelines for 2006
http://insuremorevirginians.org/pdf/2006FPLchart.pdf -
Governing.com: The Resource of States and Localities
Government Performance Project: Insurance Coverage - Access Denied
http://governing.com/gpp/2004/insure.htm -
Health Care Coverage in America: Understanding the Issues & Proposed
Solutions (2007 Update)
http://www.allhealth.org/publications/Uninsured/Health_Care_Coverage_in_America_2007_54.pdf -
Health Affairs: The Policy Journal of the Health Sphere Topic Collections
Topic collections allow readers to browse all papers published in Health Affairs since 1997 organized by selected subject categories, including insurance.
http://content.healthaffairs.org/collections/ -
HRSA State Planning Grants
Reports and information on State Planning Grant activities in other states.
http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/stateplanning/ -
Immigrants and Health Coverage: A Primer
Provides an introduction to some of the questions surrounding immigrants and
health insurance coverage.
http://www.kff.org/ (pdf) -
Increasing Premiums and Cost Sharing in Medicaid and SCHIP: Recent State Experiences
Over the past few years, a number of states have implemented new or increased existing out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries in their Medicaid, SCHIP, or other public coverage programs. This brief reviews the key findings from this recent activity, including the impact on enrollment in public coverage programs, access to care, and providers.
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=53261 -
Medicaid: An Overview of Spending on "Mandatory" vs. "Optional" Populations and Services
This issue brief provides an overview of Medicaid’s optional beneficiaries and services. The brief demonstrates that although “optional” populations account for only 29 percent of Medicaid enrollment, 60 percent of all Medicaid expenditures for both “mandatory” and “optional” populations are “optional,” and the majority of these (86 percent) pay for services provided to the elderly and disabled.
http://kff.org/medicaid/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=53360 -
Medicaid Health Plans of America
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) is the leading trade association solely focused on representing Medicaid health plans. MHPA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization formed in 1993 and incorporated in 1995. The Association provides advocacy, research, analysis, and organized forums that support the development of effective policy solutions to promote and enhance the delivery of quality healthcare
http://www.mhpa.org/home/index.cfm
-
National Academies Press
The National Academies Press (NAP) was created by the National Academies to publish the reports issued by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council. NAP publishes over 200 books a year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and health, capturing the most authoritative views on important issues in science and health policy.
www.nap.edu -
National Academy for State Health Policy
The National Academy for State Health Policy is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to helping states achieve excellence in health policy and practice. Its 20-member staff, based in Portland, Maine conducts policy analysis, provides training and technical assistance to states, produces informational resources, and convenes state, regional, and national forums.
www.nashp.org -
National Health Policy Forum
The National Health Policy Forum is a participant-driven, nonpartisan information exchange program that works to foster more informed decision-making. It serves primarily senior staff in Congress, the executive branch, and congressional support agencies.
www.nhpf.org -
The Institute for Health Policy Solutions (IHPS)
A non-profit organization funded to develop creative and workable solutions to health system problems related to access, cost, and quality. Many of IHPS' projects involve the design of health insurance strategies that both achieve public interest objectives and are viable in the market. One area of particular interest and expertise is developing approaches that coordinate public and private sources for coverage of the uninsured. Another is joint purchasing organizations that give small firm employees and families a choice of health plans.
http://www.ihps.org/ -
Institute of Medicine Consequences of Uninsurance Project
Findings from a three-year comprehensive study of uninsurance and its implications for uninsured individuals, their families, their communities, and the nation.
http://www.iom.edu/project.asp?id=4660 -
Kaiser Family Foundation: Health Coverage & the Uninsured
Data and information on the uninsured population, profiling the uninsured and describing the consequences to individuals and society from lack of health insurance.
http://www.kff.org/uninsured/index.cfm -
National Association of Counties (NACo)
Has a health access initiative and position paper entitled 2003-2004 Health Platform.
http://www.naco.org/ -
National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO)
Provides budgetary analysis of the cost to states of Medicaid. It’s State Expenditure Report, 2002 shows that Medicaid continues to be the fastest growing category of state spending, increasing by 11.4 percent in fiscal 2002, and now accounts for 20.8 of total state expenditures. Comparison data provided are for each state.
http://www.nasbo.org/ -
National Council of State Legislators (NCSL)
Provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues such as health insurance and health care.
http://www.ncsl.org/ -
National Governors Association (NGA)
Provides position papers on Medicaid and other health and health insurance related issues.
http://www.nga.org/ -
Options for Covering the Uninsured
Comprehensive overview of current efforts to cover the uninsured, including a link to the state coverage matrix that provides an at-a-glance review of strategies used by each state to expand health insurance coverage across the U.S..
http://www.statecoverage.net/options.htm -
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Insurance Coverage Program
Synthesis of news releases, research, and publications related to health insurance coverage.
http://www.rwjf.org/programs
-
Snapshot: Health Care Costs 101, 2005 Edition
Provides a visual representation of costs and financing trends over the past decade, as well as predictions of future costs. Based primarily on National Health Expenditures data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, these charts show how spending is distributed by type of service and illustrates growth in spending categories such as hospital services and prescription drugs. In addition, the charts describe expenditure sources (for example, public versus private funds) and provide information regarding health insurance premium increases.
http://www.chcf.org/documents/insurance/HCCosts10105.pdf -
State of the States, January 2006: Finding Their Own Way
The State Coverage Initiative’s (SCI) annual State of the States report summarizes state activities to expand health coverage throughout the past year. It also takes into account the environment and context within which states are working.
http://www.statecoverage.net/pdf/stateofstates2006.pdf -
States' Use of Medicaid Options for Expanding Children's Eligibility
This issue brief describes the major options provided to states for expanding children's eligibility and presents current information on states' use of these options. The report draws on information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, reports from private organizations, and correspondence with state Medicaid agency staff.
http://www.insuremorevirginians.org/pdf/MedicaidEligibilityOptionsFactSheet.pdf -
Stresses to the Safety Net: The Public Hospital Perspective
The nation’s safety net financing is fragmented; consequently, providers must knit together resources from many different funding sources to create a stream of revenue to cover the costs of providing a very broad range of services. This report describes those sources of revenue, documenting that nearly 40% of all safety net revenues are from Medicaid. The report also describes challenges that safety net hospitals and health systems are experiencing as they attempt to rebound from the economic downturn of the early 2000s.
http://kff.org/medicaid/7329.cfm -
Tax Subsidies to Help Low-Income Families Pay for Child Care
Low-income working families face enormous challenges. Key among them is how to pay for decent child care. The federal income tax code subsidizes child care in several ways. The largest subsidy is the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), a nonrefundable tax credit that offsets up to 35 percent of working parents' child care costs, subject to limits. This paper considers options to reform the CDCTC to assist low-income families. The paper also examines expansions to the refundable tax credits that help families with children.
http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411190_TPC_DiscussionPaper_23.pdf -
The Commonwealth Fund: Health Insurance/Uninsured Publications and Journal Articles
Collection of all Commonwealth Fund publications and journal articles about health insurance/uninsured.
http://www.cmwf.org/topics/topics.htm?attrib_id=9079&portal=yes
-
Uninsured Workers in America Fact Sheet
Features a profile of uninsured workers and key findings regarding the availability of ESI and worker participation, reasons why workers are uninsured, and vulnerable workers.
http://www.kff.org/ (pdf) -
Update on Individual Health Insurance, August 2004
This report provides information about the individual health insurance market using data from the largest vendor of this type of insurance, eHealthInsurance. The report includes who is buying individual insurance, what they are actually paying for the insurance, and buying patterns.
http://www.kff.org/insurance/7133.cfm -
Urban Institute Research by Topic
Topic collections of research by the Urban Institute which includes a section on Health and Health Care, with subtopics on health insurance, Medicaid, Uninsured/Uncompensated Care, and more.
http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=ByTopic&NavMenuID=62#TopicID123
If you would like to submit names and links to other resources for policy makers, please e-mail us at InsureMoreVirginians@vdh.virginia.gov .
Last Updated: April 30, 2007