This survey outlines recent innovations in health and human services at the state level across the U.S. It is organized by state. Below we have provided a list of the survey's contents by topic.
To view last month's Survey of Recent Innovations in Education, click here.
Affordable Care/Access to Care
- Health fairs with free medical screenings: AL
- Health insurance coverage options for small businesses: AZ, ME
- Grants for higher quality care and access in rural communities: CO
- State facilitated pre-tax payments of premiums for working individuals: MA
- Cost Containment Initiative: WA
- State reduction in insurance costs: MA
Children's Care
- Statewide initiatives offering healthcare to children under 19: AR, FL, NY, WI
- Wellness programs to combat childhood obesity: CA
- Public-private partnerships to fund health insurance for children: CO
- Program for children and pregnant women: IL
- Increasing access for infants with disabilities: MO
- Outreach and enrollment fairs to get children on health insurance rolls: NJ
- Fill summertime nutrition gap for school children: OR
Health Care Profession
- Incentives for nurses: CA
- Emergency Credential Program for health care professionals: CT
- Protection for health care professionals in long-term care homes: IL
- Training programs to address nursing shortages: IL
- Medical malpractice reforms: AL, FL, IL
Homelessness/Mental Health
- Suicide prevention plans: FL
- Fully subsidized healthcare centers for the homeless: HI, ME
- Legislation addressing third-party payment for biologically related mental illnesses: IA
- Raise awareness about post-partum depression: NJ
- Initiative to allow teenage parents to surrender newborns without facing criminal
- prosecution: MA
Substance Abuse
- Statewide, comprehensive and science-based substance abuse program: AL
- Substance abuse testing in schools: MA
- Focus on residential programs versus incarceration for substance abusers: MD
- Ignition Interlock Devices on cars of repeat drunk drivers: NM
Long-term Care
- "Green Houses" for elderly, family-style living situation, eating home-cooked meals, sleeping in own rooms and pursuing hobbies: MS
- New state-level Commission on Aging to handle the unique policy problems for a growing elderly population: AL
Healthcare Disparities
- State and faith-based joint efforts to combat disparities in health care: IL
- Breast and cervical cancer early detection for minorities: IN
- New state-level Department of Disabilities: MD
- Culturally competent health education services for minorities: NE
- Include a Spanish version of a Clinical Trials website: NJ
Prescription Drugs
- Safety net for seniors for increasing cost of prescription drugs: AL, IL
- Website to find affordable prescription drugs: MN
- Savings initiative: OK
Domestic Abuse
- Confidentiality program: PA
- Tougher penalties for abusers: SC
General Health
- Comprehensive statewide plans attacking a range of general health issues: AR, KY, OH, VA, ND, TX, VT
- Wellness plans for state employees: DE, RI
- Incentives to donate blood: IL
- Website to help residents monitor their health: IN
- Repository for donated cancer drugs: KS
- Eliminating junk food from schools: LA
- Programs designed to help parents talk to children about abstinence and sexual health: MI
- Physical activity and nutrition plans: NE, CA
- Release safety data of state hospitals: OR
- Online portal with hospital pricing: SD
- Initiative to fight heat-related illnesses for outdoor workers: CA
- Program to reduce tobacco use: MI, ND
- Technology to improve healthcare delivery: NM, NV, NY, TN
Air Quality
- Strategies to reduce air toxins: DE
