Living Sicker, Dying Younger: Montana’s Indian People Suffer from Inadequate Health Care

Montana’s Indian people have poorer health, higher disease rates, lower life expectancy and greater difficulty obtaining health care than other Montanans. Nearly 40 percent of American Indians in Montana are uninsured. Many are ineligible for Indian Health Services (IHS) because they do not live on a reservation and/or are not a member of a federallyContinue reading “Living Sicker, Dying Younger: Montana’s Indian People Suffer from Inadequate Health Care”

New Mexico Considers Universal Health Care Coverage, But Will Universal Also Mean Quality and Affordable?

Governor Bill Richardson handily won his election in 2003, returning the state to Democratic rule after eight years under a Republican governor. Richardson campaigned on universal health care, promising health care coverage to every New Mexican within four years. While his health care task force continues to meet and a formal plan has not yetContinue reading “New Mexico Considers Universal Health Care Coverage, But Will Universal Also Mean Quality and Affordable?”

How Do the Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Health Care Plans Stack Up?

All the Democratic presidential candidates have made detail-laden speeches explaining how they would provide health coverage for uninsured Americans and revamp the Bush administration’s tax policies. Still, the proposals from the Democratic candidates represent an abandonment of the incremental steps in political favor since the Clinton plan was quashed in 1994 and promise to dramaticallyContinue reading “How Do the Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Health Care Plans Stack Up?”

Idaho’s Challenge: Is Something Always Better Than Nothing When it Comes to Health Care?

Since Idaho Governor Batt used CHIP funds to expand Medicaid for children up to 150 percent of poverty by executive order in 1997, Idaho Republicans have been looking for ways to gut the state’s already lean Medicaid program. By crafting an expansion program that promises to provide some health insurance to those who currently haveContinue reading “Idaho’s Challenge: Is Something Always Better Than Nothing When it Comes to Health Care?”

Maine Builds Universal Health Coverage, But Will Employers Come?

Maine’s Governor Baldacci made health care a central issue of his campaign, frequently referring to Maine’s “health care crisis” during speeches. Over 180,000 Mainers are without health care coverage, and the state faces rapidly rising health care costs. Dirigo Health, the centerpiece of Governor Baldacci’s legislative agenda, follows several years of significant health care advancesContinue reading “Maine Builds Universal Health Coverage, But Will Employers Come?”

Shared History, Shared Hopes: A Photo Exhibit Documenting the Contributions, Struggles and Dreams of Idaho’s Immigrant Communities

All human beings deserve respect for their dignity and human rights. Idaho’s immigrants will continue contributing and giving to Idaho – and also striving for the promise of justice and equity to be fulfilled. Download the report.

Medicaid: Someone You Know Needs It – The Impact of Medicaid Spending on …

… King County’s Economy … Snohomish County’s Economy … the Economies of Pierce and Thurston Counties … Spokane County’s Economy This series of reports provide overviews of the important contributions Medicaid make to the economies of and the quality of life in various counties. Medicaid spending directly purchases goods and services, and supports health careContinue reading “Medicaid: Someone You Know Needs It – The Impact of Medicaid Spending on …”

No End in Sight: The War on the Poor Continues in Montana

Over the past five years, Montana’s Legislature passed large tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthy. Montana ends the legislative session basically where it began: with an unstable revenue stream and deep cuts to public programs that worsen economic conditions, increase the state’s long term costs and budget problems, and shred Montana’s safety netContinue reading “No End in Sight: The War on the Poor Continues in Montana”

Reverse Washington State’s Health Care Inequalities: Make the Health of People of Color a Priority of Government

Nationwide, people of color are at a greater risk of being uninsured than are whites, and they face many more obstacles to accessing the health care they need. The disparities in the availability of quality health care are mirrored by poorer health outcomes among people of color. Although Washington is considered a leader in healthContinue reading “Reverse Washington State’s Health Care Inequalities: Make the Health of People of Color a Priority of Government”

Cut Costs Not Services: Oregon Strategies for Lowering Rx Costs and Protecting Public Health Care Programs

While some states have pursued strategies that harm consumers and do not address rising prescription drug prices, other states have started negotiating with drug companies to lower the cost of prescription drugs and are already saving money. By using multi-agency and multi-state prescription drug purchasing pools and/or preferred drug lists, states have projected or realizedContinue reading “Cut Costs Not Services: Oregon Strategies for Lowering Rx Costs and Protecting Public Health Care Programs”