Key Issues in Reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Over the last 10 years, the State Children’s health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which now covers 6 million children, and Medicaid, which covers 28 million children, have deceased the uninsured rate of low-income children by one-third. While there is broad bipartisan support for SCHIP, several key issues have emerged during the reauthorization process, including how the program should be financed, who should be covered, and what that coverage should include.

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Knowledge to Action: Plenary Addresses from GIH’s 2007 Annual Meeting

This report comprises keynote addresses from GIH’s 2007 annual meeting Knowledge to Action: Applying What We’ve Learned to Improve Health. The volume includes speeches by GIH President Lauren LeRoy, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, as well as panels on HIV/AIDS and critical health issues over the last 25 years.

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Knowledge to Action

This resource book, prepared in celebration of GIH’s 25th anniversary, takes a look at 10 critical health issues, considering both changes in the health sector and in health policy over 25 years and the work of health foundations in addressing these challenges. 

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Pathways to Community Health: Funders Supporting Biking and Walking Trails to Promote Physical Activity

Currently, more than half of U.S. adults do not engage in enough physical activity to provide health benefits, and one in four is not active at all during leisure time. Walking, riding bikes, and playing outside are not options when neighborhoods and parks are unsafe or if there are no sidewalks or bike trails.

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Behind the Smile: How Funders Can Improve Oral Health

The consequences of neglecting oral health are significant. Oral disease can interfere with the ability to speak, chew, and swallow. In some cases, painful mouth conditions can result in overuse of emergency rooms and lost productivity, and contribute to low self-esteem. Oral disease, in children alone, is responsible for almost 52 million lost school hours each year.

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On the Front Lines of Public Health

Foundations are well positioned to collaborate with federal, state, and local health departments to create change within the public health system. They can also support and guide partnerships that embrace a variety of community stakeholders and draw on the strengths of each. This Issue Focus looks at strategies and examples for establishing such partnerships.

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From the Ground Up: Plenary Addresses From GIH’s 2006 Annual Meeting

This report features plenary speeches delivered at Grantmakers In Health’s 2006 Annual Meeting on Health Philanthropy, From the Ground Up: Improving Community Health, Inspiring Community Action.  The meeting explored how grantmakers are meeting the challenges of creating healthy, vibrant communities. These remarks inspired attendees and served as a catalyst for engaging and informative dialogue throughout the meeting.

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Supporting Local Efforts to Improve Health Care Access

The number of Americans without access to health care has continued to climb due to rising medical costs,ongoing declines in employer-sponsored coverage,and recent cuts in public programs. With no national solution in sight, many cities and counties across the country have designed local initiatives to provide coverage and care for their uninsured residents. This Issue Focus looks at approaches grantmakers are taking to address these issues.

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Implementing the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

On January 1, 2006, Medicare prescription drug coverage became available to the program’s 43 million beneficiaries. To receive the coverage, however, beneficiaries must actively opt in to Medicare Part D by selecting a prescription drug plan (PDP).

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Confronting Chronic Homelessness: Health Funders Consider New Solutions

On any given day, at least 800,000 people are homeless in the United States, including about 200,000 homeless families. It is virtually impossible for most to find rental property within their means. Also, as many as 70 percent of homeless individuals struggle with serious health problems, mental and physical disabilities, or substance abuse problems.

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