What does the future of public health look like when cutting-edge technology collides with persistent, preventable disease threats? Senior Vice President of Health at ICF and ASTHO alum John Auerbach joins us to break down how artificial intelligence can be responsibly and realistically introduced into public health workflows. He outlines five practical, low-cost steps agencies of any size can take to start using AI today, explains the leadership mindset needed to build staff confidence, and explores how AI can both spread and counter misinformation when used thoughtfully. Later, Jessica Baggett, Senior Advisor for Public Health Strategy and Response at ASTHO, unpacks why measles elimination status is back in the spotlight after the worst year for measles cases in more than 30 years. She explains what “elimination” really means, why it doesn’t mean zero cases, what’s driving recent outbreaks, and why vaccination remains the most effective public health tool.
Leveraging Public Health Assets in Medicaid Managed Care | ASTHO
1
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,480
This is Public Health Review
Morning Edition for Tuesday,
2
00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:07,440
January 27th, 2026.
I'm John Sheehan with news from
3
00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:10,360
the Association of State and
Territorial Health Officials
4
00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,080
today.
What does the future of public
5
00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,120
health look like when cutting
edge technology collides with
6
00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,520
persistent preventable disease
threats?
7
00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,120
We discuss how artificial
intelligence can be responsibly
8
00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,200
and realistically introduced
into public health workflows
9
00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,080
with John Auerbach, Senior Vice
President of Health at ICF.
10
00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:32,560
Later, Jessica Baggett, senior
advisor for public health
11
00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,320
strategy and response at ASTO,
will unpack why measles
12
00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:39,880
elimination status is back in
the spotlight after the worst
13
00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,040
year for measles cases in more
than 30 years.
14
00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,600
But let's start with John
Auerbach.
15
00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:48,840
I asked him about the first
steps public health agencies
16
00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,080
should consider when introducing
AI into their workflows.
17
00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,360
There's still a lot of public
health agencies that are not
18
00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:00,640
fully prepared to embrace AI or
to understand how it can help
19
00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:04,040
their work.
In order to simplify this, I
20
00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:09,600
would say there are 5 action
steps that any health department
21
00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,120
can take, regardless of size,
regardless of budget, and I
22
00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:17,760
would recommend these five as
guides for the next year for the
23
00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,040
agencies that haven't begun yet.
The the first one I'd say is
24
00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,400
talk to your key audience and
that by that I mean your staff,
25
00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,880
the community that you serve and
policy makers gathering that
26
00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,680
information can be very helpful.
Just you want to sort of
27
00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:37,680
environmental understanding.
The second step I would say is
28
00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:43,880
to a review and identify the
guidance and principles to
29
00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,600
undergird the work that you're
doing.
30
00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:51,760
And that may sound like a lot,
but those guidances exist and
31
00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:53,680
are readily available.
There's one, for instance, in
32
00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,440
the Kansas Public Health
Institute.
33
00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,640
That's terrific.
And there there are other ones
34
00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:00,280
as well.
You can just get one of those.
35
00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,160
And what they do is they give
you core information.
36
00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,160
And just as you're thinking
about AI to deal with the issues
37
00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,560
that people are concerned about,
privacy, security, equity
38
00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,760
procurement, etcetera.
The Third Point is offer
39
00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:15,040
training to everyone, not just
your IT people, everyone.
40
00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,080
There's free training available
on the website.
41
00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,280
You could go to YouTube and get
at it, making that available to
42
00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,800
every single person established
as a sort of comfort level and
43
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,640
understanding.
That's widespread. 4th point.
44
00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:33,880
Key one is having done 123.
Pick one pilot something to
45
00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,480
start.
Start small, but ideally start
46
00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,960
with something that addresses
the challenges, a challenge or a
47
00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:41,800
problem that people would
recognize.
48
00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,800
You don't want to do something
that's going to test the limits.
49
00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,600
You want to have something
contained, maybe it's
50
00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,240
translating materials, maybe
it's summarizing long guidance
51
00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,960
from a document that you're
looking at.
52
00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,800
There are a variety of first
steps available for any size
53
00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,640
health department.
And then the fifth one is just
54
00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:03,760
paying attention to what happens
so that at the end of the year
55
00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,280
you can reflect on what was the
impact, Were there lessons that
56
00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,080
you learned?
Did it help?
57
00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:14,720
So those five things, again, no
budget required, everyone can do
58
00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:16,080
those.
It's the way to start.
59
00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,600
And it it's we're at a point now
where every health department
60
00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,840
needs to be embracing AI.
So I'd recommend that for just
61
00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,440
about any size health.
Department, you also discuss the
62
00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,720
importance of leadership and
having a leadership mindset.
63
00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:36,960
What can leaders do to socialize
AI and and sort of allay the
64
00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:41,360
concerns of their staff?
Well, I think a little bit they
65
00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:45,320
need to understand their own
concerns and, and, and there
66
00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,240
too, I believe gaining some
clarity about what are they most
67
00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:54,320
worried about and how, how, how
can they prevent their worst
68
00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,000
case scenario.
So their concerns, because you
69
00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,680
want your leadership to be
secure enough and comfortable
70
00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:04,960
enough with the issue that the
leadership is able to have the
71
00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,200
staff feel like this is
something that's beneficial.
72
00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:11,840
And thinking about those five
points that I'd mentioned, I
73
00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,440
think it's a good place for them
to begin.
74
00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,519
And you mentioned sort of
starting small with a maybe a
75
00:04:17,519 --> 00:04:21,959
specific app, picking one basic
AI tool.
76
00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,640
Can you expand on that and sort
of describe a set of skills,
77
00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:30,280
sort of a basic skill set
necessary to start with for the
78
00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:32,840
healthcare workforce to sort of
get their hands around AI?
79
00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:35,720
Sure, you know what what I'd
say?
80
00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:40,680
I'd start by saying things don't
start with people are most
81
00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:45,440
worried about personal or
private information being
82
00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,800
somehow more vulnerable.
So starting there is probably
83
00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,160
not the best place if you
haven't worked in AI.
84
00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,280
Starting in places where the
risks are lower makes sense.
85
00:04:55,280 --> 00:04:59,680
So I'll give an example or two.
One example would be using it to
86
00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:03,400
translate educational materials
that you have into multiple
87
00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:07,400
languages or customized to a
specific populations, maybe low
88
00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:11,000
literacy populations.
When I was at CDC, for example,
89
00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:14,240
we we didn't have, you would
think CDC had would have
90
00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,400
enormous capacity to print
materials or have materials
91
00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,680
available and scores of
languages.
92
00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,040
We didn't and and that meant
when we were doing COVID work
93
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,800
and other work, we couldn't
reach all the audience as
94
00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:28,600
quickly that we needed to.
AI will really help with that.
95
00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:34,400
It's also helpful in terms of
drafting letters.
96
00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,840
You can say, you know, here's
someone we want to write about a
97
00:05:37,840 --> 00:05:41,360
particular policy to.
Maybe it's a constituent or
98
00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:45,000
someone in the community.
You can write a prompt to say, I
99
00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:49,120
want a one page letter that
talks on the following points.
100
00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,200
Here's an attachment or two from
the work that we do that I'd
101
00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:56,240
like reference.
AI will print that out, a solid
102
00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,040
draft of that letter within
seconds.
103
00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,040
So those are some of the early
steps.
104
00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,520
I think start there, get some
comfort level with understanding
105
00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,720
the way that it works, and then
you can move over time to the
106
00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:13,880
more complicated uses of AI.
And I think one of the big
107
00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:18,480
concerns about AI in general is
that it has the potential to
108
00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:23,680
help spread misinformation.
But you say that actually AI has
109
00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,200
the potential to counter
misinformation.
110
00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,280
Can you tell us about that?
Sure.
111
00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:34,240
The the thing about AI is it
aims to please, if you're asking
112
00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:37,320
it a question, it wants to give
you with the information that
113
00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:41,400
looks correct.
It's drawing information from
114
00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,560
multiple locations in most
instances.
115
00:06:44,840 --> 00:06:48,600
And so if there's false
information that is in the media
116
00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,080
or in journals, it won't know
that's necessarily false.
117
00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:56,640
So it may summarize that data as
if it's helpful and accurate.
118
00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,960
So there is this notion of how
do you train AI so that it's
119
00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:04,160
pulling information from the
most accurate sources?
120
00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:10,440
And there's increasing work on
that to try to exclude false or
121
00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,480
biased information as much as
possible.
122
00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:19,840
But you can also use AI to
identify emerging trends of
123
00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,840
inaccurate information.
The Public Health Communication
124
00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:27,840
Collaborative, for example, has
a contract where they contract
125
00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:32,400
with an organization that
screens using AI, screens social
126
00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:37,880
media for concerning
misinformation that is beginning
127
00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:40,440
to spread.
And if you capture that early
128
00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,720
using AI, you can begin to
combat that information before
129
00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:46,920
it becomes as widespread as it
might become.
130
00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,400
Yeah, that's a nice counter
narrative to maybe some of the
131
00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:55,680
more alarmist, maybe more
panicky stories of AI run amok.
132
00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:57,600
No.
And I'll tell you what I do in,
133
00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:59,960
you know, it's very important
that you have an accurate prompt
134
00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:01,640
or instructions you're
developing.
135
00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:05,680
So what I will now do very often
when I want to make sure it's
136
00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,880
giving me accurate information
is I will say as you're
137
00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,160
answering the questions that I'm
that I'm asking of you or the
138
00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,400
project that I'm asking you to
do, I want you to verify that
139
00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:23,640
all information you're giving me
has been confirmed by a
140
00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:28,720
respectable responsible source.
And I want you to tell me that
141
00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:31,640
source and but I can verify that
it's accurate.
142
00:08:32,919 --> 00:08:37,320
And lastly, and this is a big
question, if there were to be
143
00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:42,640
sort of a, a national framework
adopted by a public health writ
144
00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:47,040
large, what would that look like
and maybe what would be one of
145
00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:52,080
the most important first
priorities to get right?
146
00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:55,520
What was the first thing I would
say is it's important to
147
00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,960
determine who should be at the
table to develop that.
148
00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:05,000
It I, I don't believe it would
be optimal to simply have, say,
149
00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:08,520
a federal agency doing that,
even under the best of times and
150
00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,360
the best of administrations.
I think you'd want to make sure
151
00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:16,360
that in developing that kind of
centralized, that kind of
152
00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:21,000
uniform approach, you have
public health leaders from the
153
00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:26,520
state, local, tribal and
territorial municipalities and
154
00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,640
others who really know how this
plays itself out at those
155
00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,800
different levels so that it
becomes something that's
156
00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:39,080
accurate and useful in the real
world of public health.
157
00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,920
So setting the table with the
right people, identifying the
158
00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:46,880
key questions that would need to
be identified, and then
159
00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:51,040
understanding that all you would
be doing would would be offering
160
00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,920
recommendations or suggested
guidance.
161
00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,480
Because it it does not appear
there's going to be a
162
00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:00,200
one-size-fits-all or any
authority that's going to be
163
00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,640
able to say everyone needs to do
it in a particular way.
164
00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:07,200
Rather, something like this
would just be perhaps a
165
00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:12,440
suggested best practices.
John Auerbach is senior vice
166
00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:17,680
president of health at ICF.
Measles is back in the spotlight
167
00:10:17,680 --> 00:10:22,000
after the worst year for measles
cases in more than 30 years and
168
00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:25,080
after the disease was declared
eliminated in 2016.
169
00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:28,440
Here is Jessica Baggett, Senior
advisor for Public Health
170
00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:32,120
strategy and response at ASTO,
to explain what happened.
171
00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:37,280
So measles has really been in
the spotlight because in 2025 we
172
00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,320
saw the highest number of
measles cases in the United
173
00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:44,360
States in over 30 years and this
is largely been driven by
174
00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:48,520
outbreaks among under vaccinated
and unvaccinated people.
175
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,480
Also on the table right now is
the official determination of
176
00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:57,120
measles elimination status for
the United States, which is the
177
00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:00,080
Pan American Health
Organization, or PAJOS,
178
00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,320
designation, and they announced
recently that they'll be
179
00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:06,440
discussing this with the United
States at an upcoming meeting in
180
00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,480
April.
So what does measles elimination
181
00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:13,320
status actually mean?
Elimination status means that
182
00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:16,480
measles isn't spreading
continuously within a country or
183
00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:18,840
a particular region for at least
12 months.
184
00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,840
And I think it's important to
mention that it doesn't mean 0
185
00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:27,280
cases, it means that outbreaks
are not occurring as frequently
186
00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,360
and cases are imported rather
than spread through local
187
00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,560
transmission.
Elimination status really
188
00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:38,400
reflects strong public health
surveillance, rapid outbreak
189
00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:41,360
response, and population level
immunity.
190
00:11:41,560 --> 00:11:45,080
So it's really a marker that the
prevention systems are working.
191
00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,360
Right.
Elimination, I think probably to
192
00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,280
the rest of the population
means, hey, we did it, it's
193
00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:53,320
gone.
That's not the case.
194
00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,640
Correct.
So what is the importance of
195
00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,880
that elimination status?
What does that mean more broadly
196
00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,040
in a public health perspective?
So from a public health
197
00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:07,240
perspective, elimination is more
than just a label.
198
00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:12,080
It reflects the protective
immunity within a population and
199
00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:15,240
really the capacity of the
public health system to prevent
200
00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,600
sustained outbreaks.
So when measles elimination
201
00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:22,280
status holds, we see the
transmission is less likely.
202
00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:26,320
Our healthcare systems avoid
that unnecessary strain from
203
00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:30,160
preventable care utilization,
and public health systems
204
00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:33,320
circumvent the toll of managing
large outbreaks.
205
00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:36,760
And something that we pointed
out in the blog is that managing
206
00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:38,720
measles cases is really
expensive.
207
00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:44,360
One study estimated that it cost
nearly $60,000 per case for
208
00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,720
public health to manage.
So it's really more than a
209
00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,720
label, it's a reflection of
protective immunity within a
210
00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,520
population.
And you, you touched on this a
211
00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:57,200
little bit, but what are some of
the factors driving the new
212
00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,560
outbreaks?
Obviously the the vast majority
213
00:12:59,560 --> 00:13:03,840
of cases are among people who
aren't vaccinated, so falling
214
00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:08,560
vaccination rates is is fueled
by a combination of access gaps,
215
00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,120
vaccine hesitancy and and
misinformation that have really
216
00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:16,000
created pockets where measles
can spread more rapidly.
217
00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,400
Right.
And, and I think to, just to
218
00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:25,040
make it explicit, not getting
vaccinated has a correlation to
219
00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:26,800
these rising cases.
Correct.
220
00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:30,280
The most effective step is
getting an MMR measles monster
221
00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:32,960
Bella vaccination.
That is the most effective
222
00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,160
public health intervention.
There is information on the
223
00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:40,880
CDC's website that you know you
get a 93% protection after one
224
00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:45,480
dose and 97% protection after
two doses of an MMR vaccine.
225
00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,600
So vaccination is a highly safe
and effective strategy.
226
00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:53,840
And from, from a practitioner's
point of view, this must be
227
00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:58,560
pretty frustrating to sort of
have this answer of what do we
228
00:13:58,560 --> 00:14:00,520
do?
Well, you get vaccinated.
229
00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,640
It must be frustrating to sort
of have that answer, to have the
230
00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:09,800
solution and have it not being
accepted.
231
00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,040
What?
What can we do about it?
232
00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,120
You know, I think that there's a
lot that public health
233
00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:20,320
departments across the country
are doing to build trust within
234
00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,960
communities, work with with
local leaders, establish trusted
235
00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,520
messengers to help build some of
that confidence.
236
00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,680
You know, we have the science,
we have the evidence, and
237
00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:33,080
sometimes it's, it's finding the
right people to carry that
238
00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,320
message.
Another thing that we're doing
239
00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:38,560
in public health is we're, we're
working with the clinical
240
00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,600
community to make sure that they
have the latest up to date
241
00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,960
information and resources and so
that they're prepared to
242
00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:48,640
recognize, test and report
measles cases.
243
00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,920
Because a lot of people go to
their healthcare providers, of
244
00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,240
course, when they're sick or
seeking care.
245
00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,760
So public health supports the
the clinical community by
246
00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,840
providing information and
resources as well.
247
00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,920
Jessica Baggett is a Doctor of
Public Health and a Master of
248
00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,240
Public Health and is a senior
advisor at ASTO.
249
00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,640
She received her doctorate from
the University of Nebraska
250
00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:11,520
Medical Center College of Public
Health.
251
00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,920
Earlier, we heard from John
Auerbach, senior vice president
252
00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:18,840
of health at ICF.
It's vital that state and
253
00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,680
territorial health agencies
partner with Medicaid agencies
254
00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,120
to maximize investments and in
turn, improve health outcomes
255
00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,440
for those enrolled in Medicaid
and the Children's Health
256
00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,440
Insurance Program.
However, the two agency types
257
00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,760
differ in terminology, tools,
and procurement of services,
258
00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,400
which can pose challenges to
effective collaboration.
259
00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:40,480
The ASTO report, Leveraging
Public Health Assets in Medicaid
260
00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,920
Managed Care helps to break
these barriers by providing key
261
00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,920
information and resources
relevant to Medicaid agencies
262
00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:49,320
and their managed care health
plans.
263
00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:51,800
Find a link to the report in the
show notes.
264
00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,160
Join Manisha Juthani, MD,
Commissioner at the Connecticut
265
00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,560
Department of Public Health and
ASTO president, and John
266
00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,560
Auerbach, MBA, Senior Vice
President for Public Health at
267
00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:05,480
ICF, for an insight and
inspiration webinar that
268
00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:08,560
examines how clear, purposeful
leadership strengthens both
269
00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,920
internal and external trust.
Through discussion and
270
00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,280
reflection, we will examine how
leaders embody steadiness amid
271
00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,120
uncertainty, set a sustainable
pace, and provide calm direction
272
00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:21,400
that builds trust and drives
performance.
273
00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:24,400
This conversation aims to
inspire participants to
274
00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,680
recognize their composure and
capacity not as a personal
275
00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,960
indulgence, but as a fundamental
leadership function that shapes
276
00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,880
the overall tone, focus, and
confidence of their
277
00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:37,160
organizations.
Join us for this Steady Hands,
278
00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:40,600
steady Teams, Leading with
Confidence and Composure session
279
00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,760
happening February 11th at 4:00
PM Eastern.
280
00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,280
The link to register is in the
show notes.
281
00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,320
This has been Public Health
Review MORNING Edition.
282
00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:51,960
I'm John Sheehan for the
Association of State and
283
00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:53,280
Territorial Health Officials.
00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,480
This is Public Health Review
Morning Edition for Tuesday,
2
00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:07,440
January 27th, 2026.
I'm John Sheehan with news from
3
00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:10,360
the Association of State and
Territorial Health Officials
4
00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,080
today.
What does the future of public
5
00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,120
health look like when cutting
edge technology collides with
6
00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,520
persistent preventable disease
threats?
7
00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,120
We discuss how artificial
intelligence can be responsibly
8
00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,200
and realistically introduced
into public health workflows
9
00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,080
with John Auerbach, Senior Vice
President of Health at ICF.
10
00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:32,560
Later, Jessica Baggett, senior
advisor for public health
11
00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,320
strategy and response at ASTO,
will unpack why measles
12
00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:39,880
elimination status is back in
the spotlight after the worst
13
00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,040
year for measles cases in more
than 30 years.
14
00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,600
But let's start with John
Auerbach.
15
00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:48,840
I asked him about the first
steps public health agencies
16
00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,080
should consider when introducing
AI into their workflows.
17
00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,360
There's still a lot of public
health agencies that are not
18
00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:00,640
fully prepared to embrace AI or
to understand how it can help
19
00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:04,040
their work.
In order to simplify this, I
20
00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:09,600
would say there are 5 action
steps that any health department
21
00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,120
can take, regardless of size,
regardless of budget, and I
22
00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:17,760
would recommend these five as
guides for the next year for the
23
00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,040
agencies that haven't begun yet.
The the first one I'd say is
24
00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,400
talk to your key audience and
that by that I mean your staff,
25
00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:29,880
the community that you serve and
policy makers gathering that
26
00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,680
information can be very helpful.
Just you want to sort of
27
00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:37,680
environmental understanding.
The second step I would say is
28
00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:43,880
to a review and identify the
guidance and principles to
29
00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,600
undergird the work that you're
doing.
30
00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:51,760
And that may sound like a lot,
but those guidances exist and
31
00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:53,680
are readily available.
There's one, for instance, in
32
00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,440
the Kansas Public Health
Institute.
33
00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,640
That's terrific.
And there there are other ones
34
00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:00,280
as well.
You can just get one of those.
35
00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,160
And what they do is they give
you core information.
36
00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,160
And just as you're thinking
about AI to deal with the issues
37
00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,560
that people are concerned about,
privacy, security, equity
38
00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,760
procurement, etcetera.
The Third Point is offer
39
00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:15,040
training to everyone, not just
your IT people, everyone.
40
00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,080
There's free training available
on the website.
41
00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,280
You could go to YouTube and get
at it, making that available to
42
00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,800
every single person established
as a sort of comfort level and
43
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,640
understanding.
That's widespread. 4th point.
44
00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:33,880
Key one is having done 123.
Pick one pilot something to
45
00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,480
start.
Start small, but ideally start
46
00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,960
with something that addresses
the challenges, a challenge or a
47
00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:41,800
problem that people would
recognize.
48
00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,800
You don't want to do something
that's going to test the limits.
49
00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,600
You want to have something
contained, maybe it's
50
00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,240
translating materials, maybe
it's summarizing long guidance
51
00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,960
from a document that you're
looking at.
52
00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,800
There are a variety of first
steps available for any size
53
00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,640
health department.
And then the fifth one is just
54
00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:03,760
paying attention to what happens
so that at the end of the year
55
00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,280
you can reflect on what was the
impact, Were there lessons that
56
00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,080
you learned?
Did it help?
57
00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:14,720
So those five things, again, no
budget required, everyone can do
58
00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:16,080
those.
It's the way to start.
59
00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,600
And it it's we're at a point now
where every health department
60
00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,840
needs to be embracing AI.
So I'd recommend that for just
61
00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,440
about any size health.
Department, you also discuss the
62
00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,720
importance of leadership and
having a leadership mindset.
63
00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:36,960
What can leaders do to socialize
AI and and sort of allay the
64
00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:41,360
concerns of their staff?
Well, I think a little bit they
65
00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:45,320
need to understand their own
concerns and, and, and there
66
00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,240
too, I believe gaining some
clarity about what are they most
67
00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:54,320
worried about and how, how, how
can they prevent their worst
68
00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,000
case scenario.
So their concerns, because you
69
00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,680
want your leadership to be
secure enough and comfortable
70
00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:04,960
enough with the issue that the
leadership is able to have the
71
00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,200
staff feel like this is
something that's beneficial.
72
00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:11,840
And thinking about those five
points that I'd mentioned, I
73
00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,440
think it's a good place for them
to begin.
74
00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,519
And you mentioned sort of
starting small with a maybe a
75
00:04:17,519 --> 00:04:21,959
specific app, picking one basic
AI tool.
76
00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,640
Can you expand on that and sort
of describe a set of skills,
77
00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:30,280
sort of a basic skill set
necessary to start with for the
78
00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:32,840
healthcare workforce to sort of
get their hands around AI?
79
00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:35,720
Sure, you know what what I'd
say?
80
00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:40,680
I'd start by saying things don't
start with people are most
81
00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:45,440
worried about personal or
private information being
82
00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,800
somehow more vulnerable.
So starting there is probably
83
00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,160
not the best place if you
haven't worked in AI.
84
00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,280
Starting in places where the
risks are lower makes sense.
85
00:04:55,280 --> 00:04:59,680
So I'll give an example or two.
One example would be using it to
86
00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:03,400
translate educational materials
that you have into multiple
87
00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:07,400
languages or customized to a
specific populations, maybe low
88
00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:11,000
literacy populations.
When I was at CDC, for example,
89
00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:14,240
we we didn't have, you would
think CDC had would have
90
00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,400
enormous capacity to print
materials or have materials
91
00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,680
available and scores of
languages.
92
00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,040
We didn't and and that meant
when we were doing COVID work
93
00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,800
and other work, we couldn't
reach all the audience as
94
00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:28,600
quickly that we needed to.
AI will really help with that.
95
00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:34,400
It's also helpful in terms of
drafting letters.
96
00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,840
You can say, you know, here's
someone we want to write about a
97
00:05:37,840 --> 00:05:41,360
particular policy to.
Maybe it's a constituent or
98
00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:45,000
someone in the community.
You can write a prompt to say, I
99
00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:49,120
want a one page letter that
talks on the following points.
100
00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,200
Here's an attachment or two from
the work that we do that I'd
101
00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:56,240
like reference.
AI will print that out, a solid
102
00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,040
draft of that letter within
seconds.
103
00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,040
So those are some of the early
steps.
104
00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,520
I think start there, get some
comfort level with understanding
105
00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,720
the way that it works, and then
you can move over time to the
106
00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:13,880
more complicated uses of AI.
And I think one of the big
107
00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:18,480
concerns about AI in general is
that it has the potential to
108
00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:23,680
help spread misinformation.
But you say that actually AI has
109
00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,200
the potential to counter
misinformation.
110
00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,280
Can you tell us about that?
Sure.
111
00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:34,240
The the thing about AI is it
aims to please, if you're asking
112
00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:37,320
it a question, it wants to give
you with the information that
113
00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:41,400
looks correct.
It's drawing information from
114
00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,560
multiple locations in most
instances.
115
00:06:44,840 --> 00:06:48,600
And so if there's false
information that is in the media
116
00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,080
or in journals, it won't know
that's necessarily false.
117
00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:56,640
So it may summarize that data as
if it's helpful and accurate.
118
00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,960
So there is this notion of how
do you train AI so that it's
119
00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:04,160
pulling information from the
most accurate sources?
120
00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:10,440
And there's increasing work on
that to try to exclude false or
121
00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,480
biased information as much as
possible.
122
00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:19,840
But you can also use AI to
identify emerging trends of
123
00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,840
inaccurate information.
The Public Health Communication
124
00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:27,840
Collaborative, for example, has
a contract where they contract
125
00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:32,400
with an organization that
screens using AI, screens social
126
00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:37,880
media for concerning
misinformation that is beginning
127
00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:40,440
to spread.
And if you capture that early
128
00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,720
using AI, you can begin to
combat that information before
129
00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:46,920
it becomes as widespread as it
might become.
130
00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,400
Yeah, that's a nice counter
narrative to maybe some of the
131
00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:55,680
more alarmist, maybe more
panicky stories of AI run amok.
132
00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:57,600
No.
And I'll tell you what I do in,
133
00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:59,960
you know, it's very important
that you have an accurate prompt
134
00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:01,640
or instructions you're
developing.
135
00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:05,680
So what I will now do very often
when I want to make sure it's
136
00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,880
giving me accurate information
is I will say as you're
137
00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,160
answering the questions that I'm
that I'm asking of you or the
138
00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,400
project that I'm asking you to
do, I want you to verify that
139
00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:23,640
all information you're giving me
has been confirmed by a
140
00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:28,720
respectable responsible source.
And I want you to tell me that
141
00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:31,640
source and but I can verify that
it's accurate.
142
00:08:32,919 --> 00:08:37,320
And lastly, and this is a big
question, if there were to be
143
00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:42,640
sort of a, a national framework
adopted by a public health writ
144
00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:47,040
large, what would that look like
and maybe what would be one of
145
00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:52,080
the most important first
priorities to get right?
146
00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:55,520
What was the first thing I would
say is it's important to
147
00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,960
determine who should be at the
table to develop that.
148
00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:05,000
It I, I don't believe it would
be optimal to simply have, say,
149
00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:08,520
a federal agency doing that,
even under the best of times and
150
00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,360
the best of administrations.
I think you'd want to make sure
151
00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:16,360
that in developing that kind of
centralized, that kind of
152
00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:21,000
uniform approach, you have
public health leaders from the
153
00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:26,520
state, local, tribal and
territorial municipalities and
154
00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,640
others who really know how this
plays itself out at those
155
00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,800
different levels so that it
becomes something that's
156
00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:39,080
accurate and useful in the real
world of public health.
157
00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,920
So setting the table with the
right people, identifying the
158
00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:46,880
key questions that would need to
be identified, and then
159
00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:51,040
understanding that all you would
be doing would would be offering
160
00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,920
recommendations or suggested
guidance.
161
00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,480
Because it it does not appear
there's going to be a
162
00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:00,200
one-size-fits-all or any
authority that's going to be
163
00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,640
able to say everyone needs to do
it in a particular way.
164
00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:07,200
Rather, something like this
would just be perhaps a
165
00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:12,440
suggested best practices.
John Auerbach is senior vice
166
00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:17,680
president of health at ICF.
Measles is back in the spotlight
167
00:10:17,680 --> 00:10:22,000
after the worst year for measles
cases in more than 30 years and
168
00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:25,080
after the disease was declared
eliminated in 2016.
169
00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:28,440
Here is Jessica Baggett, Senior
advisor for Public Health
170
00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:32,120
strategy and response at ASTO,
to explain what happened.
171
00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:37,280
So measles has really been in
the spotlight because in 2025 we
172
00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,320
saw the highest number of
measles cases in the United
173
00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:44,360
States in over 30 years and this
is largely been driven by
174
00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:48,520
outbreaks among under vaccinated
and unvaccinated people.
175
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,480
Also on the table right now is
the official determination of
176
00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:57,120
measles elimination status for
the United States, which is the
177
00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:00,080
Pan American Health
Organization, or PAJOS,
178
00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,320
designation, and they announced
recently that they'll be
179
00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:06,440
discussing this with the United
States at an upcoming meeting in
180
00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,480
April.
So what does measles elimination
181
00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:13,320
status actually mean?
Elimination status means that
182
00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:16,480
measles isn't spreading
continuously within a country or
183
00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:18,840
a particular region for at least
12 months.
184
00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,840
And I think it's important to
mention that it doesn't mean 0
185
00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:27,280
cases, it means that outbreaks
are not occurring as frequently
186
00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,360
and cases are imported rather
than spread through local
187
00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,560
transmission.
Elimination status really
188
00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:38,400
reflects strong public health
surveillance, rapid outbreak
189
00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:41,360
response, and population level
immunity.
190
00:11:41,560 --> 00:11:45,080
So it's really a marker that the
prevention systems are working.
191
00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,360
Right.
Elimination, I think probably to
192
00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,280
the rest of the population
means, hey, we did it, it's
193
00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:53,320
gone.
That's not the case.
194
00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,640
Correct.
So what is the importance of
195
00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,880
that elimination status?
What does that mean more broadly
196
00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,040
in a public health perspective?
So from a public health
197
00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:07,240
perspective, elimination is more
than just a label.
198
00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:12,080
It reflects the protective
immunity within a population and
199
00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:15,240
really the capacity of the
public health system to prevent
200
00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,600
sustained outbreaks.
So when measles elimination
201
00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:22,280
status holds, we see the
transmission is less likely.
202
00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:26,320
Our healthcare systems avoid
that unnecessary strain from
203
00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:30,160
preventable care utilization,
and public health systems
204
00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:33,320
circumvent the toll of managing
large outbreaks.
205
00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:36,760
And something that we pointed
out in the blog is that managing
206
00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:38,720
measles cases is really
expensive.
207
00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:44,360
One study estimated that it cost
nearly $60,000 per case for
208
00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,720
public health to manage.
So it's really more than a
209
00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,720
label, it's a reflection of
protective immunity within a
210
00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,520
population.
And you, you touched on this a
211
00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:57,200
little bit, but what are some of
the factors driving the new
212
00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,560
outbreaks?
Obviously the the vast majority
213
00:12:59,560 --> 00:13:03,840
of cases are among people who
aren't vaccinated, so falling
214
00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:08,560
vaccination rates is is fueled
by a combination of access gaps,
215
00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,120
vaccine hesitancy and and
misinformation that have really
216
00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:16,000
created pockets where measles
can spread more rapidly.
217
00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,400
Right.
And, and I think to, just to
218
00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:25,040
make it explicit, not getting
vaccinated has a correlation to
219
00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:26,800
these rising cases.
Correct.
220
00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:30,280
The most effective step is
getting an MMR measles monster
221
00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:32,960
Bella vaccination.
That is the most effective
222
00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,160
public health intervention.
There is information on the
223
00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:40,880
CDC's website that you know you
get a 93% protection after one
224
00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:45,480
dose and 97% protection after
two doses of an MMR vaccine.
225
00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,600
So vaccination is a highly safe
and effective strategy.
226
00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:53,840
And from, from a practitioner's
point of view, this must be
227
00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:58,560
pretty frustrating to sort of
have this answer of what do we
228
00:13:58,560 --> 00:14:00,520
do?
Well, you get vaccinated.
229
00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,640
It must be frustrating to sort
of have that answer, to have the
230
00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:09,800
solution and have it not being
accepted.
231
00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,040
What?
What can we do about it?
232
00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,120
You know, I think that there's a
lot that public health
233
00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:20,320
departments across the country
are doing to build trust within
234
00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,960
communities, work with with
local leaders, establish trusted
235
00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,520
messengers to help build some of
that confidence.
236
00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,680
You know, we have the science,
we have the evidence, and
237
00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:33,080
sometimes it's, it's finding the
right people to carry that
238
00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,320
message.
Another thing that we're doing
239
00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:38,560
in public health is we're, we're
working with the clinical
240
00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,600
community to make sure that they
have the latest up to date
241
00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,960
information and resources and so
that they're prepared to
242
00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:48,640
recognize, test and report
measles cases.
243
00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,920
Because a lot of people go to
their healthcare providers, of
244
00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,240
course, when they're sick or
seeking care.
245
00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,760
So public health supports the
the clinical community by
246
00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,840
providing information and
resources as well.
247
00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,920
Jessica Baggett is a Doctor of
Public Health and a Master of
248
00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,240
Public Health and is a senior
advisor at ASTO.
249
00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,640
She received her doctorate from
the University of Nebraska
250
00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:11,520
Medical Center College of Public
Health.
251
00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,920
Earlier, we heard from John
Auerbach, senior vice president
252
00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:18,840
of health at ICF.
It's vital that state and
253
00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,680
territorial health agencies
partner with Medicaid agencies
254
00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,120
to maximize investments and in
turn, improve health outcomes
255
00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,440
for those enrolled in Medicaid
and the Children's Health
256
00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,440
Insurance Program.
However, the two agency types
257
00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,760
differ in terminology, tools,
and procurement of services,
258
00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,400
which can pose challenges to
effective collaboration.
259
00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:40,480
The ASTO report, Leveraging
Public Health Assets in Medicaid
260
00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,920
Managed Care helps to break
these barriers by providing key
261
00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,920
information and resources
relevant to Medicaid agencies
262
00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:49,320
and their managed care health
plans.
263
00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:51,800
Find a link to the report in the
show notes.
264
00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,160
Join Manisha Juthani, MD,
Commissioner at the Connecticut
265
00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,560
Department of Public Health and
ASTO president, and John
266
00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,560
Auerbach, MBA, Senior Vice
President for Public Health at
267
00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:05,480
ICF, for an insight and
inspiration webinar that
268
00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:08,560
examines how clear, purposeful
leadership strengthens both
269
00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,920
internal and external trust.
Through discussion and
270
00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,280
reflection, we will examine how
leaders embody steadiness amid
271
00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,120
uncertainty, set a sustainable
pace, and provide calm direction
272
00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:21,400
that builds trust and drives
performance.
273
00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:24,400
This conversation aims to
inspire participants to
274
00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,680
recognize their composure and
capacity not as a personal
275
00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,960
indulgence, but as a fundamental
leadership function that shapes
276
00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,880
the overall tone, focus, and
confidence of their
277
00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:37,160
organizations.
Join us for this Steady Hands,
278
00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:40,600
steady Teams, Leading with
Confidence and Composure session
279
00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,760
happening February 11th at 4:00
PM Eastern.
280
00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,280
The link to register is in the
show notes.
281
00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,320
This has been Public Health
Review MORNING Edition.
282
00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:51,960
I'm John Sheehan for the
Association of State and
283
00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:53,280
Territorial Health Officials.