CHW legislation advances in five states

State CHW legislation advances in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and New Mexico

Important legislation promoting the role of CHWs has been introduced in five states. Pennsylvania House Bill No. 342 emphasizes CHW roles in reducing emergency room utilization and in strengthening community health centers.  A bill in Texas would mandate a study of sustainable funding options for CHWs, including Medicaid waivers; a Republican state representative has agreed to introduce it, emphasizing potential cost savings for the state. Related bills have been introduced in Oregon and California.  The California bill (AB2354) passed the State Assembly in August 2010 and was reported favorably out of Senate committee, and would direct the state to study funding opportunities for CHWs under the federal Affordable Care Act.  A bill recently introduced in the New Mexico Senate would ask the state health department to recommend legislative language to create statutory authority for the state's new Office of CHWs next year, and would request that the Office develop a CHW certification program.  Most state legislatures are wrestling with serious budget deficits, so prospects for new funding for CHWs are limited, but the fact that employing CHWs can reduce other costs (such as hospitalization) substantially can make these bills more attractive to legislators.

Carl H. Rush, MRP
Community Resources LLC
San Antonio, Texas