Transforming the Workforce to Provide Better Chronic Care: The Role of Nurse Care Managers in Rhode Island

This series explores the evolution of primary care systems to better meet the needs of consumers with complex health conditions. It demonstrates that changes in the workforce are required to empower consumers to better manage their health.The series is a collaboration of the National Academy for State Health Policy and the AARP Public Policy Institute. We recognize that it takes a team of skilled professionals to deliver improved chronic care. In this series, we focus on how registered nurses -- who make up the largest segment of the health care workforce -- are being deployed in ambulatory delivery systems to take on new roles. Future series will focus on other members of the health care team.We selected six initiatives that offer replicable policy strategies to develop, implement, and sustain patient-centered approaches to care. Each case study highlights one of these initiatives and provides policy recommendations and an "on-the-ground" look at the work of its nurses

Building Medical Homes in State Medicaid and CHIP Programs

Presents strategies, best practices, and lessons learned from ten states' efforts to advance the medical home model of comprehensive and coordinated care in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs in order to improve quality and contain costs

Building Medical Homes: Lessons From Eight States With Emerging Programs

Profiles states' progress in developing and implementing medical home programs, strategies to encourage primary care providers' adoption, and states' ability to convene stakeholders, help improve and evaluate performance, and address antitrust concerns

Strengthening Primary and Chronic Care: State Innovations to Transform and Link Small Practices

Presents case studies of state policies for reorganizing and improving primary and chronic care delivery among small practices, including leadership and convening, payment incentives, infrastructure support, feedback and monitoring, and certification

Developing Federally Qualified Health Centers Into Community Networks to Improve State Primary Care Delivery Systems

Presents case studies of states reducing Medicaid beneficiaries' costly hospital visits by helping FQHCs and primary care providers collaborate to offer community-based medical homes and access to services. Explores the 2010 healthcare reform's impact

Help Wanted: A Policy Maker's Guide to New Dental Providers (Issue Brief)

Access to oral health care is becoming an increasingly serious problem for many people in the United States, particularly for children. The tragic death of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver in 2007 from complications of untreated tooth decay gave the nation a sobering reminder of the grim consequences that can result from a lack of dental care availability.The National Academy for State Health Policy and the Pew Center on the States, with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, conducted a comprehensive literature review and interviewed leading experts in several states to learn about options for expanding available care. This issue brief is a summary of the full report

Retail Clinics: Six State Approaches to Regulation and Licensing

Examines approaches to regulation and licensing of retail clinics in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas. Outlines issues of patient safety and quality of care, payment structure, conflict of interest, and other challenges

Federally Qualified Health Centers and State Health Policy: A Primer for California

Provides an overview of how state health policy affects funding, patient volume, and services of safety-net community health centers. Outlines ways to improve performance and sustainability through technology, adaptability, and new sources of funding