State Health Updates
COVID-19
- Colorado – The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing announced that it will issue $16 million in enhanced payments to Medicaid nursing home providers to support industry stabilization given the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be directed to support continued infection prevention efforts and rising costs of direct care staffing. Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order to move this process forward.
- Minnesota – Governor Tim Walz announced the state is partnering with leaders representing all aspects of Minnesota life – including the arts, business and civic community, sports, and elected officials – to spread the word about the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. In the state’s continued efforts to meet Minnesotans where they are and get them the information they need to decide to get vaccinated, this initial roster of leaders will engage directly with Minnesotans all across the state, highlighting the benefits of getting vaccinated to each individual and their community.
- Nebraska – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services introduced a new platform called “Share Your Shot,” an interactive and informative map where Nebraskans throughout the state can share their experiences about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The interactive map will allow people who are seeking more information about the vaccine to review pictures and stories from friends, families, and neighbors who live nearby to learn about their safe vaccination experience.
- Pennsylvania – First Lady Frances Wolf and Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson moderated a panel discussion on vaccine safety for teens and young adults. The panel, hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, was entitled Vax Facts: Teen Edition. This was the fifth event in a series that seeks to provide relevant and accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines and address the questions of concerned citizens.
- Wisconsin – Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services announced convenient and free of charge COVID-19 testing support for Wisconsin schools in the 2021-2022 school year. The new program connects schools with testing partners to handle the school’s on-site COVID-19 testing for teachers, staff, students, and their families.
Other State Updates
- Arizona – CMS sent a letter to the state withdrawing the community engagement authorities that were added in the January 2019 amendment approval for the AHCCCS demonstration.
- California
- Covered California, the state-based marketplace, announced that it has enrolled a record 1.6 million people, as thousands of consumers sign up for coverage due to the lower premiums provided by the ARP. New data shows that over 139,000 people have signed up for a health plan through Covered California since the new and expanded financial help from the new law became available on April 12.
- Governor Gavin Newsom announced the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being, a new advisory council tasked with exploring healthy strategies to ensure Californians can thrive. Placing a special emphasis on child physical and mental health, the Advisory Council will be led and convened by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Ronnie Lott.
- Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation establishing the Covered Connecticut program, which authorizes additional premium and cost-sharing subsidies for those with incomes up to 175 percent of the federal poverty level.
- Georgia – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking public comment on the Georgia Fiscal Year 2021 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHBG). The purpose of this public hearing is to collect public comments on the work plan and deliverables of this grant.
- Indiana – CMS sent a letter to the state withdrawing the community engagement authorities that were conditionally approved in the state’s extension approval of the Healthy Indiana Plan demonstration from last fall.
- Kentucky – Governor Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced that the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood (GOEC) will receive nearly $6 million in additional funds from the annual Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to support high-quality, early experiences for children and families throughout the state. GOEC’s Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) will direct the funds to local communities through the Community Early Childhood Councils (CECC) grant program. Local councils apply for grants to increase the quality of experiences for young children to better prepare them for kindergarten.
- New Jersey – As part of her Nurture NJ initiative, First Lady Tammy Murphy launched a series of Mini Family Festivals aimed at connecting families with state, county, and local programs and resources to address New Jersey’s maternal and infant health crisis. The Mini Family Festival series will be held at hospitals and federally qualified health centers throughout New Jersey, taking a targeted approach to reach families who are already accessing these health care providers and can further connect with additional resources and services.
- Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced its state-funded network of drop-in centers offering support to people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges is expanding to 11 locations under new peer recovery center grants awarded by DHS.