State Profiles

Idaho's Plans to Improve Access in Troubled Times

April 21, 2009 - Idaho Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter (R) discussed difficult choices during our "troubled times" in his January 12 "State of the State" address. He proposed a 7.5 percent budget cut for the state's Department of Health and Welfare, along with even greater cuts in other state agencies.

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Governors Discuss Health Policy in "State of the State" Addresses, With Interactive Summary Table

April 21, 2009 - Since early January, state governors have been discussing health care in their annual "State of the State" addresses, despite not knowing exactly what the federal stimulus package or CHIP reauthorization would look like. Among the 40 speeches made through mid-February, the health policy messages varied in content and tone. The health-related provisions are summarized in an interactive feature.

New York's Plan to Expand Coverage and Combat Obesity

April 21, 2009 - New York Governor David Paterson (D) outlined four key health reform initiatives in his State of the State address on January 7: public coverage expansion, enrollment reforms, private insurance expansion for dependents, and multiple efforts to combat obesity.

Arizona Narrowly Rejects Ban on Coverage Mandates and Choice Restrictions

January 23, 2009 - Arizona voters narrowly rejected a state constitutional amendment that would have banned laws restricting choice of health plans or mandating that people obtain coverage. The amendment would have been at odds with certain elements of President-elect Obama's health care proposal. Of 1.8 million votes, 50.2 percent voted against, and 49.8 percent voted for, the amendment.

Maine Rejects Beverage Tax for Replacing Dirigo's 'SOP' Funding

January 23, 2009 - Maine voters rejected a beverage tax in November designed to replace the current funding mechanism that supports the Dirigo Health Program.