RSG Projects

RSG projects reflect the diversity of issues that policymakers face as they improve the health of their communities. Every year, the RSG selects projects to work on that:

  • Relate to state health policy needs;
  • Have broad application across states;
  • Yield practical and timely results; and,
  • Adhere to the RSG’s values of bipartisanship and collegiality.

Here are the topics the RSG focused on, by year.

 

2019

  • Mental Health Services
    Maximizing funding streams to provide adequate mental health services along the continuum of care.
  • State-Operated Inpatient Psychiatric Services
    Addressing the particular policy challenges posed by state-operated inpatient psychiatric services.
  • Escalating Health Care Costs
    Developing a bipartisan, shared language to discuss the problem of escalating health care costs, a follow-up to Fund work in 2017 on state legislative health care values and priorities.
  • The Multigenerational Impact of the Opioid Epidemic
    Recognizing the multigenerational impact of the opioid epidemic, multi-year focus of the Fund in partnership with the United Hospital Fund.

2018

  • Senior Hunger and Food Insecurity
    A growing segment of the aging population is dealing with food insecurity/hunger in addition to social isolation and poverty. This is part of an ongoing interest in exploring the impact of a growing aging population on state programs and budgets.
  • The Opioid Epidemic and its Impact on Children
    The epidemic has a widespread impact on populations across the US, including on children and families. This project will connect with collaborative work with the United Hospital Fund.
  • Rural Health
    Responding to states’ concern about health in rural areas, including declining numbers of hospitals, service reductions, physician recruitment and retainment, health care disparities, and increases in substance use disorder.
  • State Scorecard Alignment
    Working with state health scorecard producers to determine how they address the needs of the states using the various scorecard measures.