Ideas and Opportunities: Highlights From NCSL’s Health Policy Seminar

Colorado Rep. Kyle Brown, above, describes the state's I Matter program, which connects youth with free virtual counseling sessions, at NCSL's Health Policy Seminar.

From soaring costs of health care to record high rates of infectious diseases and widespread mental health issues, lawmakers across the country face mounting health challenges affecting their constituents. Compounding the problem: shortages across the health care workforce that hamstring the ability to support an aging population, prompting leaders to consider new solutions and policies.

NCSL hosted its first Health Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., in June for 51 legislators and 26 legislative staff from 37 states and the district to discuss these and other health policy issues. With over 10,000 health-related bills introduced nationwide so far this year, the seminar provided legislators and staff with insights to inform future policy decisions and contribute to the improvement of health outcomes across the nation.

Over the course of the two days, participants discussed innovative solutions and collaborative efforts on topics including health care costs, infectious diseases, childhood vaccination trends, the overdose epidemic, workforce challenges and more.

Attendees posed thought-provoking questions and participated in dynamic roundtable discussions. The meeting wrapped up with a conversation featuring Dr. Ashish Jha, a public health expert known for his leadership at the White House during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jha says "AI will be the electricity of this century," making it crucial for policymakers to understand how the technology will be interwoven with health care and everyday life. He also stresses the importance of building public health infrastructure to deal with future pandemics.

Sessions included national experts as well as state legislators with particular experience in those areas. Alaska Sen. David Wilson and New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages addressed a breakout session on fostering a diverse workforce to improve health outcomes.

Wilson highlighted Alaska's loan forgiveness program for health care professionals and telehealth reimbursement under Medicaid. Solages described New York's efforts to expand the doula workforce and maternal health care access.

Colorado Rep. Kyle Brown says he and his colleagues have continued funding for the I Matter program, which connects youth with free virtual counseling sessions. Brown also discussed a Colorado bill that aims to increase access to mental health services for youth who face barriers to care.

The meeting was presented in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arnold Ventures, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, CareQuest, the Health Resources and Services Administration, Inseparable and Johnson & Johnson.

Molly Widoff is a policy analyst in NCSL's Health Program.