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.
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Expanding Pharmacist-Prescribed HIV PrEP
PrEP is a powerful tool to reduce new HIV infections; expanding access to PrEP is a priority within the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative. One way to increase access to PrEP is by allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense it.
Read the BriefMaintaining Patient Access to Care in Rural America
This webinar explores federal priorities related to rural healthcare access and highlights a successful model to ensure rural patients can access hospital services.
Access the RecordingFinancing Strategies to Support Community Health Workers
These presentation slides provide an overview of different financing mechanisms to support CHW workforce, such as through Medicaid state plan amendments, 1115 demonstration waivers, managed care contracts, alternative payment models, and grant and provider funding.
Get the Slides (PDF)State Primary Care Offices Expand Access to Care and Improve Health Equity
ASTHO sat down with Alisa Druzba, director of the New Hampshire State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, to spotlight PCO contributions to health equity and access to care.
Read the Blog PostState 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.
Read the BriefTelehealth and Licensure Policies Improving Healthcare Access for Rural Communities
Recent legislation at both the state and federal levels has significantly affected the ability of healthcare providers to serve patients virtually and across state lines.
Read the Blog PostLatest Healthcare Access Resources
Health Service Utilization Patterns Among Medicaid Enrollees With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Pandemic Response and Recovery Efforts
Learn MoreBest Practices to Leverage Partnerships to Support Health Equity: An Implementation Cheat Sheet
Learn MoreOpportunities for Public Health Agencies to Advance Sustainable Financing of Community Health Worker Programs
Learn MoreCollaborations
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