Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights Health Issues in State of the State Addresses

The following highlights health issues mentioned in governors' recent state of the state addresses.

• Kentucky: In his Feb. 4 speech, Gov. Steve Beshear (D) said his proposal to fill the state's $456 million budget shortfall "clearly articulates priorities for investment" in "basic health care for our most vulnerable populations," among other things. He said that providing health care "is not only a moral obligation but one that carries economic return." He added, "But to protect our priorities we need the targeted application of new revenue, which I propose we obtain by significantly increasing our tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products." According to Beshear, Kentucky has "a cigarette tax which is the fourth-lowest in the entire nation," but "the health toll of smoking is devastating." He said, "We spend $1.5 billion a year on health problems related to smoking, including $487 million in Medicaid costs alone -- a cost, ironically, that more than matches our current shortfall." Beshear said, "The people of this state overwhelmingly support a significant increase in tobacco taxes" (Beshear speech text, 2/4).
  
  
• Michigan: In her Feb. 3 speech, Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) said that "despite continual deficits, Michigan's number of uninsured children remains one of the lowest in the nation," and in the next year, "expanding coverage for those children who remain uninsured will be priority No. 1." Granholm continued, "Now that Congress has voted to reauthorize [CHIP], we will utilize every opportunity to assure that all children in Michigan have access to affordable coverage." She added that the state "must also work to assure the sustainability of our insurance market in Michigan to preserve access to affordable coverage for our working families." Granholm said the individual health insurance market in Michigan "is changing as the demand for coverage continues to grow," which "is why I have directed the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation to investigate the current conditions in the marketplace and identify options that will help ensure access to affordable health care." The state must "also continue to do [its] part to tackle the drivers of health care costs and improve health outcomes, particularly for our children," Granholm said. According to Granholm, obesity rates over "the past several decades ... have soared among all age groups," raising the risks for various chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. "We need urgent action to turn back this rising tide," she said, adding that the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids program "has established the first-ever, five-year strategic policy plan to address childhood obesity" in the state's communities and schools. "Tonight, I am charging the departments of Community Health, Agriculture, Education, Human Services, Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, and Transportation to work together to begin implementation of the year-one policy agenda," which "includes targeted approaches that will improve public health by increasing access to physical activity and healthy food choices," she said. In addition, Granholm said, "Since our announcement of the MI Health Information Network in 2006, Michigan has been focused on moving the health care industry into the 21st century by investing in health information technology projects that will revolutionize how care is given and received in our state." The state also will begin an initiative to "provide comprehensive dental care and education focused on prevention for those in need of services." In addition, Granholm said that that the National Governors' Association has asked her to "co-chair a bipartisan group of the nation's governors that will make recommendations to [President Obama] on providing affordable, accessible health care for all" (Granholm speech text, 2/3).
  
  
• Oklahoma: In his Feb. 2 speech, Gov. Brad Henry (D) said that "too many Oklahomans lack access to adequate medical care," noting that "[n]early 20% of all Oklahomans and more than 18% of our children are uninsured." He said, "Without decisive action this year, the world economic situation will only exacerbate this problem." He continued, "Insure Oklahoma," a program launched in 2004, "can ultimately provide health coverage -- and financial stability and peace of mind -- to tens of thousands more Oklahomans," adding that the state is "making great headway" and should expand a pilot program that increases participation in Insure Oklahoma "through targeted enrollment at the point of service." He said the state also can "attract many more participants by allowing additional lower-cost choices, such as high-deductible and tailored-benefit plans." According to Henry, "we must also make certain that coverage is meaningful and provides services that Oklahomans need." In addition, he urged the state Legislature to "ensure all insurance companies ... include autism coverage in their policies so families can get the help they need and deserve" (Henry speech text, 2/2).