Health costs account for about one-third of state budgets, ranging from financing Medicaid, to paying for state employees and other populations, such as prisoners. State legislatures make thousands of health policy decisions each year, including improving access to appropriate care, determining who should be immunized, licensing health professionals and facilities, and supporting or rejecting initiatives to keep people healthy. NCSL's web site provides health reports and updates listed by 50+ topics, on the right-hand column.
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) brings continued substantial changes to the health care system. The Health Insurance Exchanges or Marketplaces opened for sales in all 50 states again; year three enrollment was completed Jan. 31, 2016. So far, 31 states have opted to expand Medicaid for adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. In addition, the law put in place new health insurance regulations that affect premium rates, enrollee assistance and appeals and coverage for people with preexisting conditions and young adults added to family policies, among other things.
NCSL Legislation Databases for 2015-2016. The Health Program hosts three active health databases. Users can search by state, topic, keyword and/or primary legislative sponsor. Results are available at no charge; members can view full text; other interested parties can access all other features. Status is updated once a week for 2016.
- The "Health Innovations" database online covers what state legislatures are enacting that changes Medicaid, private and commercial health insurance, access, health exchanges and other state responses to health reform. NCSL identifies more than 610 recently enacted laws and resolutions in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
- 2015-2016 Prescription Drug Legislation Database, tracking both bills and new laws on major policies affecting prescription drugs and biologic medicines.
- Injury Prevention Legislation Database, offering searches for Prescription Drug Abuse, Pain Clinics, Rescue Drugs, Monitoring Program and others.