The following resources showcase effective state efforts to achieve health equity, improve care, and prioritize the social determinants of health.

• Michigan Medicaid Addresses Social Determinants of Oral Health through Dental and Medical Contracts, January 2021. Inequities in dental care are prevalent across the United States, with oral health outcomes largely influenced by social determinants of health (SDOH), such as food insecurity and socioeconomic status. In response, Michigan’s Medicaid managed care contracts now require medical and dental plans to address SDOH among enrollees.
• How New York Is Safeguarding Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic, November 2020. Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, studies show pregnant women – especially women of color – are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant individuals. New York’s COVID-19 Maternity Task Force and its Department of Health have implemented policies and programs to improve women’s outcomes and address disparities during the pandemic.
• NASHP Roundtable: Georgia and Illinois Work to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes, November 2020. In partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, NASHP convened state officials to discuss initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees and address racial disparities. Illinois and Georgia officials highlighted their strategies, including extending Medicaid postpartum coverage for women beyond the current 60-day period.
• States Guide the Governance of Accountable Health Entities to Promote Community Health and Engagement, April 2019. This NASHP blog examines strategies for governing accountable health models to improve population health and health equity while addressing community and state priorities.
• Oregon’s Accountable Health Model Addresses Health Equity and Health-Related Needs: Four Lessons from CCO 2.0, March 2019. This NASHP blog describes Oregon’s strategy for addressing health-related needs and health equity through its Coordinated Care Organizations’ contracts.
• How Supported Employment Can Address Mental Health Inequities in Minority Populations: Five States’ Experiences, December 2018. This issue brief examines state supported employment programs and implications for addressing health disparities in mental illness.
• Federal State Discourse to Promote a High-Performance Health System. These slides offer background information, financing strategies, and state models for promoting health equity through delivery system reform.
• Q&A: How Rhode Island Tackles Social Determinants of Health through its Accountable Entity Model, November 2018. This blog describes Rhode Island’s Accountable Entity (AE) Program, designed to encourage Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) and providers to deliver more cost-effective care through value-based payments, improve coordinated care delivery, and focus on population health.
• How States Address Social Determinants of Health in their Medicaid Contracts and Contract Guidance Documents, August 2018. This chart examines Medicaid contracts and contract guidance documents in 11 states to highlight each state’s efforts to address social determinants of health, such as housing and employment.
• The Roadmap Ahead: New York’s Value-Based Payments Reward Communities and Providers for Addressing the Social Determinants of Health, June 2018. This blog describes how New York rewards Medicaid providers and community-based organizations for addressing social and economic impacts on health.
• States Develop New Approaches to Improve Population Health Through Accountable Health Models, January 2018. This issue brief highlights policy levers, performance measurement strategies, and sustainable financing options that ten states use to support accountable health structures to promote population health and increase health equity.