WATCH THE ARCHIVED WEBCAST:

WHAT WAS DISCUSSED?

This webcast, hosted by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Urban Institute, was a public forum discussing next steps in health and human services integration following the Supreme Court decision in King v. Burwell. With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cemented as law, a panel of experts moderated by Louise Radnofsky of the Wall Street Journal discussed new opportunities to connect health and human services for low-income people. The forum delved into the ACA’s vision—healthy and economically secure individuals, families, and communities—while addressing the reality of states facing budget and political constraints as they strive to implement the new law.

The panel’s experts brought decades of visionary leadership and practical hands-on experience from both human services and health perspectives. Drawing on this wide-ranging experience, the discussion explored both potential visions for the future and lessons about how to get there in the face of current challenges.

The conversation addressed the accomplishments and ongoing struggles of state health and human services agencies across the country, including the six highly diverse states that participated in the WSS initiative (CO, ID IL, NC, RI, and SC). Today, states are implementing powerful new computer systems to modernize service delivery while addressing the setbacks and glitches that accompany technology reform. State leaders are shaping a common vision for health and human services that combines “vertical integration” (creating a seamless transition for families when their eligibility changes from Medicaid to marketplace plans, or vice versa) and “horizontal integration” (leveraging the opportunities created by health reform to improve access to other work supports).

This forum was part of the WSS initiative, which is supported by the Ford Foundation as lead funder. Additional support has been provided by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and JP Morgan Chase.

WHO WERE THE FEATURED PANELISTS?

• Louise Radnofsky, Health Policy Reporter, Wall Street Journal (moderator);
• Maria Cancian, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families;
• Olivia Golden, Executive Director, CLASP;
• Jennifer Wagner, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; and
• Judy Solomon, Vice President for Health Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.