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JoAnne McClure, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, details a new report written to help public health leaders address rising rates of congenital syphilis; Alex Kearly, ASTHO’s Director of Medicaid and Value-Based Payment, breaks down...
JoAnne McClure, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, details a new report written to help public health leaders address rising rates of congenital syphilis; Alex Kearly, ASTHO’s Director of Medicaid and Value-Based Payment, breaks down recent direction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding social services and Medicaid dollars; an ASTHO blog article highlights the importance of proper leadership strategies when building a high-performing team; and a virtual edition of ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum is set for June 15th.
ASTHO Report: Policy Considerations for Reducing Congenital Syphilis
ASTHO Blog Article: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs through 1115 Demonstrations
ASTHO Blog Article: Three Key Leadership Strategies for Building a High-Performing Team
ASTHO Webpage: TechXpo and Futures Forum Registration
ROBERT JOHNSON: 00:04
This is Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, June 12, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
JOANNE MCCLURE 00:15
The report looks at four areas of focus for potential policy options that public health leaders could utilize to bolster screening and treatment of syphilis in pregnant people, which therefore would reduce the rate of congenital syphilis.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 00:27
ASTHO's JoAnne McClure provides details about a new report written to help public health leaders address rising rates of congenital syphilis in their jurisdictions. They include screening policies and fetal infant mortality review boards.
JOANNE MCCLURE 00:42
We then looked at barriers to care for pregnant people experiencing substance use, specifically looking at stigma and fear of adverse consequences that can potentially keep pregnant people from seeking treatment for prenatal care.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 00:54
The report also examines ways to work alongside state Medicaid programs to improve access to health care.
JOANNE MCCLURE 01:01
This piece is important as the two most commonly missed opportunities for prevention of congenital syphilis are lack of timely prenatal care and lack of adequate treatment for pregnant people despite timely diagnosis.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 01:13
McClure says the report offers many policy options jurisdictions might consider helpful to people impacted by congenital syphilis,
JOANNE MCCLURE 01:21
Our public health officials can review their jurisdictions existing prenatal screening and disease reporting laws to consider the frequency and timing of required screening as well as the enforcement mechanisms to ensure that providers are in compliance with these laws. Health agencies can also work with state-based partners such as medical licensing boards, health care professional associations, to develop and provide educational outreach to providers on state requirements, standards of care, and learn any difficulties or barriers that practitioners may be facing.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 01:52
You can download a copy of the report using the link in the show notes.
Recent direction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services outlines the social services states can cover with Medicaid dollars. This is ASTHO's Alex Kearly.
ALEX KEARLY 02:14
This new CMS framework encourages states to leverage the authority under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to address unmet health-related social needs and adverse health implications in a way that's never been done before.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 02:29
Kearly says covered services include items that could impact a person's health.
ALEX KEARLEY 02:34
Among those approved this mainly includes things like housing-related services and supports, including short-term rent and nutrition services, including medically tailored meals. So, states are providing services for some of the most underserved populations that they serve.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 02:51
Right now, Arizona, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Arkansas all have approved waivers.
ALEX KEARLEY 02:58
Arkansas is providing housing and nutrition services to high-risk pregnant women, adults with behavioral health conditions in rural areas, and targeted groups of young adults at risk of long-term poverty and poor health outcomes.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 03:12
ASTHO has a blog article about the 1115 demonstration projects. You can read it using the link in the show notes.
Also today: are you looking to become a better leader? O'Keyla Cooper has more.
O'KEYLA COOPER: 03:24
In a recent blog post, ASTHO highlights the importance of proper leadership strategies when building a high-performing team. In order to achieve the mission of any organization. essential elements such as planning, strategy, resources, finances, evaluation, and feedback must be utilized. Find out three key leadership strategies that can help any leader build a powerhouse team by reading the full blog. The link is located in the show notes.
ROBERT JOHNSON: 03:49
Finally, this morning, a virtual edition of ASTHO's Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum is set for June 15 at 1:00 pm eastern time. Register now to continue the conversation from the in-person event last month in Chicago. Sessions will cover workforce, infrastructure, the CDC's Data Modernization Initiative, and more. There's a link in the show notes.
That'll do it for today's newscast. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
