Research / Health & Human Services
Policy Analysis | August 2019
Approved 1115 Medicaid Demonstrations in the South
Under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has the authority to waive specific provisions of major health and welfare programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Section 1115 waivers give states the flexibility to implement experimental or pilot projects, frequently referred to as “demonstrations,” to test new approaches to Medicaid and CHIP that differ from federal rules. Approved demonstrations must be budget-neutral, meaning any changes to services or coverage cannot exceed existing costs. Additionally, all approved demonstrations are subject to specific rules regarding transparency and evaluation. Public notice and comment periods at both the state and federal levels are required before Section 1115 waivers are approved.1
In the SLC region, 10 states have approved Section 1115 waivers as of August 2019, for a total of 13 waivers (two each in Arkansas, Florida and Mississippi). Approved Southern state demonstrations focus on five key areas of Medicaid/CHIP services and coverage:
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Comparative Data Reports | August 2019
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid and Transportation
Comparative Data Reports (CDRs) are prepared annually by select SLC states’ fiscal research departments. These reports track revenue sources, appropriations levels, performance measures, and a multitude of other metrics in Southern states. A useful tool for legislators and legislative staff alike, CDRs are available for adult correctional systems, education, Medicaid, and transportation.
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Policy Analysis | May 2019
Vaping and Electronic Cigarette Legislation (2019)
Electronic cigarette usage has surged in recent years, with increased rates among youth and young adults posing a particularly worrisome challenge for public health officials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.9 million middle and high school students were users of tobacco products in 2018, an increase of 1.3 million from 2017. The increase – driven mostly by the growth of electronic cigarettes – impedes successful efforts by states in recent years to reduce youth tobacco usage. More than a quarter of high school students and about 7 percent of middle school students reported using tobacco products in 2018, with electronic cigarettes the most common among both demographics. Electronic cigarettes have benefits for adults using them as complete substitutes for regular cigarettes; however, the CDC and U.S. Surgeon General both warn they should not be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women and adults who do not smoke. U.S. health agencies acknowledge that further studies are needed to understand the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes.1
In an effort to address concerns surrounding the rising popularity of vaping and electronic cigarette products among youth and young adults, many states across the South introduced and, in several cases, enacted related legislation in 2019. The legislation generally focuses on three areas:
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SLC Human Services & Public Safety Committee
2019-2020
Chair
Senator
Katrina Shealy
South Carolina
2019-2020
Vice Chair
Representative
Fredrick J. Love
Arkansas
Immediate
Past Chair
(former) Senator
Doug Overbey
Tennessee
Ensuring the public’s general welfare and protection are among states’ most pressing concerns, with both areas constituting considerable shares of state budgets. The SLC Human Services & Public Safety Committee has a broad agenda, which takes into account the challenges states face in the areas of human services and corrections, as well as policies and programs that address them. The committee frequently undertakes assessments of pressing health issues including the national opioid crisis, organ donations and long-term care, as well as various corrections issues such as aging inmate populations, female offenders and mental health parity in prisons.
More SLC Research into Health & Human Services
Policy Analysis | April 2019
SLC Regional Resource | April 2019
Policy Analysis | April 2019
Policy Analysis | January 2019
Other | January 2019
SLC Issue Brief | October 2018
Policy Analysis | September 2018
Policy Analysis | August 2018
Comparative Data Reports | July 2018
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid and Transportation
SLC Regional Resource | May 2018
Policy Analysis | April 2018
Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Medical Marijuana: An Overview
SLC Special Series Report | December 2017
Comparative Data Reports | July 2017
Policy Analysis | April 2017
Webinar | February 2017
SLC Special Series Report | January 2017
Webinar | July 2016
Comparative Data Reports | June 2016
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid and Transportation
Policy Analysis | June 2016
SLC Regional Resource | May 2016
Policy Analysis | May 2016
Policy Analysis | April 2016
SLC Regional Resource | March 2016
Policy Analysis | January 2016
State Authority to Admit Refugees: Background and Recent Developments
Webinar | December 2015
Policy Analysis | November 2015
Webinar | October 2015
Policy Analysis | September 2015
Policy Analysis | June 2015
Policy Analysis | May 2015
Policy Analysis | May 2015
SLC Regional Resource | April 2015
Policy Analysis | February 2015
February 2015: The Status of Medicaid Expansion in the SLC States
Policy Analysis | January 2015
SLC Issue Alert | October 2014
Webinar | October 2014
Policy Analysis | August 2014
Comparative Data Reports | July 2014
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Webinar | July 2014
In the Weeds: Exploring the Science around Medical Marijuana and the Operation of a State Program
Policy Analysis | May 2014
State Efforts to Reorganize and Reform Child Welfare/Social Services Agencies
SLC Regional Resource | March 2014
Webinar | October 2013
Policy Analysis | October 2013
Comparative Data Reports | July 2013
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Policy Analysis | July 2013
Reduction of Early Elective Deliveries for Medicaid and SCHIP Recipients
Webinar | May 2013
Food Safety Modernization Act: Impacts for Farmers, Producers and States
Webinar | March 2013
Webinar | December 2012
The Meningitis Outbreak and the Regulation of Compounding Companies: Federal and State Roles
SLC Issue Alert | October 2012
Policy Analysis | September 2012
Comparative Data Reports | July 2012
Policy Analysis | June 2012
Policy Analysis | March 2012
Policy Analysis | September 2011
Comparative Data Reports | July 2011
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Article | July 2011
Policy Analysis | May 2011
Policy Analysis | November 2010
SLC Regional Resource | July 2010
Policy Analysis | March 2010
SLC Regional Resource | January 2010
Policy Analysis | January 2010
Policy Analysis | October 2009
SLC Issue Alert | January 2009
Comparative Data Reports | July 2008
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Policy Analysis | March 2008
Policy Analysis | February 2008
Comparative Data Reports | November 2007
Comparative Data Reports | November 2006
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Comparative Data Reports | November 2005
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Comparative Data Reports | July 2004
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Comparative Data Reports | July 2003
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Comparative Data Reports | July 2002
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Gaming, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
Comparative Data Reports | November 2001
Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Gaming, Medicaid, Revenue and Transportation
SLC Regional Resource | April 2001
Comparative Data Reports | November 2000
SLC Regional Resource | November 2000
Southern States' Safe Child Abandonment Laws and Proposed Legislation