A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey highlights common trends in health equity, telehealth access and quality, and coverage expansion initiatives.

Ten states and the District of Columbia no longer report their COVID-19 data on a daily basis.

The highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant has been found in all 50 states and experts warn unvaccinated individuals and younger populations are highly susceptible. This variant presents a significant threat in states with low vaccination rates, including Arkansas, Missouri, Nevada, and Utah.

Nevada is the second state to pursue a public option health coverage plan, after Washington implemented a public option in 2019. The law requires the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Insurance, and Silver State Health Insurance Exchange to create a public option by 2026.

In response to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for fully vaccinated people, several states, including Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, have lifted their statewide mask mandates.

The Department of Health and Human Services distributed a lateral flow COVID-19 diagnostic test to states and territories across the country. Several states — including Arkansas, Kentucky, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Utah—are using the tests to target vulnerable populations.

Federal guidance details how states can request ventilators; states regulate distribution of chloroquine and hydoxychloroquine and take steps to ensure housing stability.

With expected gridlock between our new divided Congress, states could be the ones to drive major health policy activity in 2019.

Leaders in Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin have expressed interest in allowing individuals who cannot afford private health insurance to buy into the Medicaid program if they are otherwise ineligible.