Health care costs can vary even within a single city, and they are a significant amount of state budgets. States across the country are working to improve value. This session focused on some approaches, including all-payer initiatives, pharmaceutical actions, and Medicaid strategies. The biggest change happening across the country, including in North Carolina, is a shift from fee-for-service systems to value-based care. In North Carolina, this includes implementation of Medicaid managed care, Accountable Care Organizations, and Medicare bundled payments, among other reforms. The session also included an overview of safety net options in North Carolina, such as federally qualified health centers/community health centers, free and charitable clinics, rural health centers, local health departments school-based health centers, and critical access and rural-based hospitals.
Introduction to Health Care Coverage, Cost and State-Based Initiatives
