Experts on Hawaii’s economy discussed their ideas for a five point plan to help Hawaii’s economy recover and how the vaccine rollout is vital in helping reopen the economy. Ray Vara, president and CEO of Hawaii Pacific Health, Peter Ho, chairman and CEO of Bank of Hawaii and Dr. Mark Mugiishi, president and CEO of the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), discussed these topics at a panel on the economy at the Hawaii State of Reform Virtual Health Policy conference Thursday.
Although Hawaii has done a pretty good job managing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the economy has still suffered, said Vara. Hawaii’s economy is largely reliant on tourism, especially the service industry, which is one of the hardest hit industries nationwide.
Washington Democrats and Republicans lay out health legislative priorities Sydney Kurle | Jan 11, 2021
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Six state lawmakers gathered this week to discuss the upcoming session and the health care and fiscal policies they expect to address. The conversations took place in two separate panels one featuring Democrats and one featuring Republicans during the Washington State of Reform Virtual Health Policy Conference.
The Democrat panel included Sen. Annette Cleveland, Rep. Lauren Davis and Rep. Steve Tharinger. The Republican panel included Sen. Keith Wagoner, Sen. Ron Muzzall and Rep. Joe Schmick.
Below is an overview of the wide-ranging discussions that took place in each panel.
Medicaid funding the top priority for Washington Health Care Authority Mansur Shaheen | Jan 6, 2021
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Over 2 million Washingtonians are currently enrolled in Medicaid in the state, and more than 1,300 enroll in the program every week. Washington State Health Care Authority’s Maryanne Lindeblad explained how the state is expanding its services and working with health care providers at the Washington State of Reform Virtual Health Policy conference Wednesday.
The agency has attempted to tackle COVID-19-related challenges in many ways, she said. For example, the state ended all unrequested terminations of Medicaid enrollments, other than those initiated due to a death or an enrollee moving out of the state.
The road to Medicaid expansion in Arizona is rocky but possible, according to a panel of experts who spoke at the Arizona State of Reform Virtual Health Policy Conference.
Jim Hammond, Shawn Nau, Elizabeth Lorenz, and Lisa Stevens Anderson spoke on the “Meeting the Vision for Arizona Medicaid” panel. They shared their thoughts on the state’s future with Medicaid.
Medicaid enrollment is “counter-cyclical,” said Lorenz, Director of Policy Development at AzHHA. Enrollment generally increases when the economy worsens, and vice versa. Although enrollment rates are expected to decrease as the economy recovers from COVID-19, the state still needs to be prepared for future enrollment surges. Over two million Arizonans are currently enrolled in Medicaid, she said.