Conference Round Up

PCG staff shares insights from additional conferences in another round up this month – The National Association of Medicaid Directors Conference and the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo.  

National Association of Medicaid Directors 2024 Conference – “1 in 5” 

Members of the PCG Health Policy News Team were in DC this past month at the National Association of Medicaid Directors where the theme for this year’s conference was 1 in 5– highlighting how many Americans are currently receiving coverage through Medicaid.  

As in past years, one topic of discussion was the Public Health Emergency (PHE) unwinding, highlighting state approaches and progress as we reach the end of the unwind period. One state in particular, Oregon, spoke to their ability to achieve a 97% insured rate through the PHE unwind. Oregon has three goals for PHE unwinding; keep individuals covered, ensure access to the appropriate coverage and communicate clearly and concisely. One policy lever utilized was continuous coverage for certain adult and child populations. Additionally, ensuring collaboration with community partners was critical. Oregon leveraged existing relationships that community partners have with enrollees, which allowed for the delivery of messages about reenrollment or eligibility in a culturally appropriate and trusted manner.  

Another topic of discussion was health related social need waiver implementation and lessons learned from early innovators including Massachusetts and Arizona. One key message was continual assessment and evaluation of the approach to delivery of HRSN services has been critical and will help states demonstrate the return on investment. One resonating statement from the panel was that only “20% of our health is determined by the health care we receive”- and as states await approval of various HRSN 1115 waivers, it is important to keep innovating on ways to improve health and deliver care to the 1 in 5 American’s utilizing Medicare today.  

American Public Health Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo 

The American Public Health Association (APHA) held its Annual Meeting and Expo in October in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The conference’s theme was “Rebuilding Trust in Public Health and Science,” focusing on strengthening public confidence in health initiatives and research. This event was one of the largest gatherings of public health professionals, including researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, with diverse sessions on emerging health topics, including mental and behavioral health advocacy, sustainable funding, violence prevention, Artificial Intelligence in Public Health and strategies for addressing the opioid crisis. 

PCG was proud to participate in the Expo. This was an opportunity for PCG to share its available services and capabilities, such as Managed Care Oversight and 1115 Waiver Evaluation Programs, with public health officials and decision-makers, individuals from educational institutions and many others. 

PCG staff that attended the conference highlights key takeaways on some of these topics below. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Public Health

Public health systems are turning to AI to address resource constraints. For example, AI for diabetes prevention and the PREVENT tool, aim to deliver equitable, data-driven healthcare solutions. However, the technology’s effectiveness is limited by data quality issues like inconsistency, bias, and opacity. These challenges can result in inequitable outcomes and diminished trust among healthcare professionals and the public.  

As collaborations with technology companies increase, maintaining public health values is crucial.  Effective AI use requires robust oversight and integration with human-led practices to ensure sustainable and ethical implementation. Efforts by institutions like the University of Maryland and George Washington University focus on replacing race-based algorithms with equitable approaches that consider the social impacts of racism.  

Sustainable Funding for Community Health Workers (CHWs)

Sustainable funding is crucial for the long-term success of CHW programs, which too often depend on temporary grants. With COVID-era funds ending, Medicaid and Medicare may offer reimbursement options, but hurdles like administrative resistance and complex billing processes persist. South Dakota’s experience demonstrates the benefits of Medicaid reimbursement, showing workforce growth and healthcare cost reductions through fewer patient emergency visits. CHWs remain vital in promoting health and preventive care, with successful integration into various healthcare sectors providing a model for broader, sustainable reimbursement strategies.