Access to quality, affordable healthcare and health insurance are critical to the public’s well-being. Almost half of Americans struggle to afford the care they need, regardless of whether they have active health insurance coverage. Nearly one in three people cannot access the appropriate healthcare providers because they don’t have local providers and healthcare facilities or reliable transportation to travel for care.
Public health agencies in states, territories, and freely associated states can work to mitigate and eliminate barriers to care through partnerships healthcare delivery systems, expanding access to healthcare providers and community-based public health workforces, and improving uptake of telehealth, among other strategies. ASTHO is committed to expanding access to healthcare services and supports public health professionals by facilitating these critical partnerships and providing tools and resources to design and operationalize sustainable strategies.
Featured
State Approaches to Community Health Worker Certification
States continue make meaningful inroads in developing certification programs that match the needs of public health, the communities they serve, and the community health workers providing services.
Opportunities for Public Health Agencies to Advance Sustainable Financing of Community Health Worker Programs
This report details how health officials can play key roles as funders, administrators, and policy design champions to advance sustainable financing of community health worker services.
2024 Primary Care Office Annual Technical Assistance Survey
The latest Primary Care Office workforce assessment explores priorities including governance structure, technical support needs, policies, and staffing.
2024 Telehealth Needs Assessment
The results of this assessment provide key insights for public health's role in telehealth expansion to improve access to care.
Strengthening the Role of Public Health Agency Officials in the Health Safety Net System
This report uses examples from Arkansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Oregon to detail the value of public health agencies in informing Medicaid policies and programs.
Maintaining Patient Access to Care in Rural America (YouTube)
This webinar explores federal priorities related to rural health care access and highlights a successful model to ensure rural patients can access hospital services.
Latest Healthcare Access Resources
Supporting Community Health Workers in Territories and Freely Associated States
Learn More
Overdose Prevention Policies Help People Involved with Criminal Justice System
Learn More
Collaborations
ASTHO manages online communities for state and territorial primary care office staff and telehealth program leads to share information, network, and engage in meaningful discussions between jurisdictions.
ASTHO regularly engages with key partners to advance state and territorial population health priorities. Key partners include:
- Center for Connected Health Policy
- Center for Health Care Strategies
- CDC
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- National Association of Community Health Workers
- National Association of County and City Health Officials
- National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health