2006 SCI Workshop for State State Innovations in Health Coverage Officials:

Agenda

Wednesday, October 4th

8:30 - 9:15 a.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions

Presenter: W. David Helms, Ph.D., President and CEO, AcademyHealth

This session will provide an opportunity for participants to introduce themselves and briefly share their experience in using research and analysis in policy development (e.g., highlight obstacles and successful approaches), as well as, review the workshop objectives and agenda.

9:15 - 10:45 a.m.

2. Policy Analysis Framework

Presenter: David Helms

This session will present a basic framework for conducting policy analysis. It will illustrate how policy analysis can be used both to improve the quality and efficiency of decision-making and to gain support for decisions made. This Policy Analysis Framework (PAF) illustrates three basic steps in the policy process:

Analyzing problems;
Assessing and selecting options; and
Supporting and evaluating the policy choice.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

3. Modeling Policy Options, Part I: What They Are and How to Use Them

Presenter: Deborah J. Chollet, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

This session will describe quantitative modeling as a tool for examining the effects of various policy options. It will describe different types of models and their utility in different situations, depending on the questions being explored, data availability, timing, resource constraints, etc. In particular, it will highlight the use of models to assess the potential impact of strategies for reducing the number of uninsured and fiscal implications of these policy choices.

Describe what it means to model options
Common nomenclature for modeling
Micro-simulation
Importance of narrowing field of options to model
Asking the “right questions” to keep your analysis within your resources and timeline
What does an actuary do and when do you need one?

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

4. Modeling Policy Options, Part II: Data Sources and Technical Challenges

Presenter: Deborah Chollet

This session will examine a range of important technical issues that modelers must address, including selecting relevant data. It will provide examples of how models can be used shape state coverage expansion initiatives.

Technical challenges
Estimating take up
Estimating utilization
Assessing crowd-out
Selecting data sources
Deciding when to use state data and when to use national data
How to integrate both state and national data
Comments/discussion from states on experiences

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

5. Program Logic Model

Presenter: David Helms

This session will present a Program Logic Model (PLM) for assessing and evaluating potential solutions to public policy problems. Using examples of health policy options to control costs and expand coverage, the presenter will illustrate how this technique can be used to test the plausibility of program design and review the major activities and resources needed to implement programs.

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Dinner

Thursday, October 5th

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

6. Communicating and Selling the Policy Choice

Presenter(s):
Amy Lischko, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy
Elaine Arkin, Special Communications Officer, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

This session will describe a range of issues related to getting the word out about the policy development process and strategy you want to pursue:

Communication basics: knowing your audience, developing messages, explaining complex issues simply (including statistics and graphics), getting the right persons to deliver the message
Communications campaigns: Roll out and staging, engaging the press (press releases, op ed pieces), releasing research results, legislative testimony, TV/radio shows, Using the Internet (websites, webcasts, podcasts), reports, white papers, fact sheets, and decision memos
Measuring success: know what you hope to accomplish at the outset, be flexible, quantify impact over time

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

7. Leading and Managing the Policy Process

Presenter: David Helms

This session will highlight the importance of exercising leadership, managing the various steps, and building sources of support for proposed policy changes throughout the policymaking process. This session will illustrate how research and formal analyses can improve the generation and flow of information and present strategies for using them in budget and policy decision processes. It also will emphasize the value of building relationships between the legislature and executive agencies, among executive agencies, and with key private sector leaders and stakeholders.

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

8. Concluding Comments and Evaluation

Facilitator: Alice Burton, State Coverage Initiatives, AcademyHealth

Participants then will be invited to make concluding comments about the workshop and their need for additional follow-up activities. Finally, participants will be asked to complete an evaluation form.