Massachusetts Provides a Model for Addressing Students’ Risky Substance Use

This two-pager explains Massachusetts’ first-in-the-nation requirement for screening students for risky substance use, and the strategy that led the state to take action.

A Case for Trauma-Informed Care

This issue brief outlines what childhood trauma is, how it is measured, and how integrating trauma-informed approaches into advocacy work can improve the health of children and families.

Addressing Out Of Control Prescription Drug Prices: Federal and State Strategies

This new brief provides a policy framework to support efforts to make prescription drugs more accessible and affordable for people across the country.

Lessons in Health Coverage Consumer Assistance: Best Practices and Future Challenges

This report reviews the current enrollment and assistance landscape, highlights best practice approaches to consumer assistance, and identifies remaining opportunities and challenges.

Innovative Pre-Arrest Diversion Strategies: Using Hospitals as Service Entry Points For People With Addiction

This case-study focuses on hospital emergency departments, as alternatives to police contact, as the point of entry for individuals to access substance use, mental health, and other diversion services and supports.

A Guide to Using Non-Stigmatizing Language

This resource provides a person-centered guide to language and terms in substance use disorders advocacy.

Oral Health Innovation: Opportunity and Risk, Medicaid Waivers and the Keys to Good Oral Health

This brief provides an overview of Medicaid 1115 waivers as one innovative approach to improving the oral health care delivery system and moving toward oral health equity.

Selected CHIP Policy Changes Enacted 2018

With the CHIP program now extended, the following charts highlight key dates of implementation for a number of provisions included in the final CHIP deals.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program: Recent Policy Changes and Action Steps for Advocates

In January, Congress passed funding for the CHIP program and then earlier this month they extended the funding even further. Although this is great news, Congress included some policy changes that state advocates will need to monitor.

5 Reasons Work Requirements in Medicaid Won’t Work

A one-pager for state policymakers on why Medicaid work requirements would be harmful and costly in their state

Top Five Health Equity Priorities for Kids in 2018

As we move into 2018, the Children’s Health Initiative lays out its top priorities for health equity and children for the year. These range from supporting robust census work to ensuring children have access to trauma-informed care and health systems.

Work Requirements: A One-Way Ticket to the Coverage Gap

An analysis of the incompatibility of work requirements with income eligibility levels in Medicaid non-expansion states.

CMS Approves State Plan Amendment for Massachusetts, Creating New Opportunity for School-based Medicaid

Massachusetts received approval for a state plan amendment to reverse the Medicaid free care policy. The Massachusetts’ approach may inform other states’ decision-making in pursuing the free care policy reversal.

Mi Salud, Mi Voz: Una Guía Paso a Paso Para Mujeres Sobre Cómo Usar el Seguro Médico

Esta guía fue diseñada para ayudarle a comenzar a utilizar el seguro médico. Algunas de las reglas del seguro médico son diferentes de un estado a otro, especialmente si usted cuenta con un seguro del tipo Medicaid.

Transforming Hospital Community Benefit: Increasing Community Engagement and Health Equity Investment in Connecticut

This paper seeks to inform state and local efforts to strengthen the connection between hospital community benefit programs and health equity investments in Connecticut.