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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 provides health reports and updates covering 40-plus topics.

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Voters Want Affordable Meds. Legislatures Are On It.

Health care affordability is a top issue among voters, with over half worrying they won’t be able to pay for their medications. Lawmakers addressed the issue this session with a variety of policy approaches to increase state and patient access to affordable prescription drugs.

Health
State Legislatures News

The Medicaid Toolkit

The Medicaid Toolkit is a collection of information about the Medicaid program for legislators and legislative staff. States legislatures play a key role in Medicaid financing, regulation, oversight and innovation. This toolkit provides information on all aspects of the program from the fundamentals to in-depth policy information on current topics.
Health

Medicaid Delivery Systems 101

A brief explainer of the systems states use to administer the Medicaid program. Takeaway: State and territorial legislatures choose how the Medicaid program is administered through choice of delivery system and exercise oversight over that system.
Health
Map
Table

Medicaid Flexibilities 101

A brief explainer of how states and territories can exercise flexibility in the structure and administration of the Medicaid program.
Health
Graphic

Medicaid Financing 101

A brief explainer of how the Medicaid program is financed, including mechanisms to finance the state and territorial share.
Health
Graphic
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