Implementation of Health Care Reform: Opportunities for States

Under the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states have critical responsibilities for implementation of new federal policies. This Act presents an opportunity for states to deliver better value for each health care dollar, to create a culture of health with a focus on healthy living and wellness, and to expand access to health care that is affordable. Despite the historic significance of federal health care reform, transformation must also be built at the community level by all parties working in collaboration to improve cost, quality and access. The purpose of the presentation is to outline and describe the opportunities presented by ACA for strengthening and improving systems that serve maternal and child health populations, and the issues that states will need to address with its implementation.