Becky Lopez

MS in Social Policy from @PennSP2 | she/her

[HealthBegins @HealthBegins]

#Medicaid has a big role to play as communities of color get impacted by #climatechange

The Emerging Role Of States In Combating Climate Change’s Health Effects | @Health_Affairs https://t.co/VDQSTx6kB0 by @HeatherHHoward @BeckyELopez CC: @PrincetonSPIA @PrincetonCHW @Princeton

[Becky Lopez @BeckyELopez]

🌎🌡️Climate change & extreme heat disproportionately impact low-income communities of color. Medicaid has an important opportunity to invest in communities to mitigate the health impacts. @HeatherHHoward and I highlight state efforts in @Health_Affairs! https://t.co/mOxe8EYVGT

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

While we need swift global action to address climate change states are increasingly working to mitigate the health consequences. 👀how Medicaid is addressing the impacts of extreme heat on health @PrincetonSPIA @PrincetonCHW @BeckyELopez @Health_Affairs
https://t.co/NljWxKFzB6

[Health Affairs @Health_Affairs]

In their new Forefront article, @HeatherHHoward and Rebecca Lopez from @Princeton discuss how, given the disproportionate impact of climate change on low-income communities of color, Medicaid has an important opportunity to meaningfully invest in communities by mitigating the health impacts of climate change and extreme heat. States can also continue to develop heat preparedness plans and develop multi-agency recommendations to ensure heat mitigation is top of mind in terms of infrastructure, emergency response, data collection, and outreach and education. https://t.co/afvV0Euelw

[Becky Lopez @BeckyELopez]

One strategy to enhance #MaternalHealth is Medicaid coverage of doulas. To kick off #WorldDoulaWeek, I'm excited to share an issue brief I co-authored outlining strategies to ensure equitable reimbursement of both doulas & midwives. Happy #WorldDoulaDay! 🌎

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Happy #WorldDoulaDay! Doulas spend ~36 hours per client, & their pay should reflect this + uncompensated time & out-of-pocket expenses they incur. This SHVS brief outlines considerations to ensure more equitable reimbursement of both midwives & doulas. 📰https://t.co/7whcSeJSUG

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Check out the latest pod, discussing unwinding of the Medicaid continuous coverage req w/ Kate McEvoy @statemedicaid + Dr. Kemi Alli @HJAHC. Timely discussion w/ amazing health care leaders about what states and health care providers are doing to prevent loss of coverage

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Interested in state activity on Medicaid unwinding? Check out our resource #StatesofUnwinding, where we are tracking state efforts. In sum, there's lots to report and we've got the state examples, including links, here: https://t.co/8dbpcUMNNG 🧵on what we're seeing

[Sally Mabon @mabon_sally]

As of March 31, states are restarting #medicaid eligibility assessments📋, on hold since March 2020 because of COVID. This is *biggest* coverage event in a looong time. At SHVS we are tracking how states are planning and preparing in a new series https://t.co/pF4D0aKWn8

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Glad to see this make the front page of NYT. Such an important story+shouldn't get lost. In addition to reading this, check out the first in a new series we are launching, States of Unwinding, on what states are doing to prepare. https://t.co/mWEKnOxqHX https://t.co/HT2Q5zpyBD

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Excited to host this podcast+shine a light on vital connections btwn health research+policy. 1st episode explores the maternal health crisis, delving into @FirstLadyNJ's efforts to tackle disparities, and @PrincetonSPIA Prof. Betsy Armstrong connects it to the latest research.

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Many are – rightly! - focused on maintaining coverage when PHE/continuous coverage requirement ends, but we also need to think about access to care 🩺. Thoughts on what states can do to ensure continuity of care for sicker individuals with higher healthcare access needs—a 🧵

[Dan Meuse @danmeuse]

Come and work with us at State Health and Value Strategies. We are working with states and federal partners daily and would love a health policy brain to join the team! https://t.co/EwzSSK7CS1

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Since I can't make a cake like @emma_sandoe I ordered one. At the bakery they asked "you know this has a stool on it - is that what you wanted?!"

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Happy 12th Birthday to #AffordableCareAct - proud of how you've grown up and weathered many challenges, from legal to political to operational. 🧵and 🎂pics

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

Medicaid Section 1115 waivers rightfully get a lot of attention – they are a prime (and powerful) pathway for states to innovate. So naturally when thinking about advancing health equity in Medicaid we turned to thinking about how to use 1115s. A🧵

[RWJF @RWJF]

Enrolling in public health coverage like #Medicaid or CHIP does not jeopardize a person's immigration status. Learn how states can help immigrant communities get access to the healthcare they deserve. https://t.co/ZpbHjPqgtG

[Heather Howard @HeatherHHoward]

These briefs highlight how states can address structural racism within the U.S. health system, which has caused disproportionate health risks and poorer health for people and communities of color. @pboozang @lin_elam – what is #Medicaid’s role in promoting #healthequity?

[Becky Lopez @BeckyELopez]

Check out a new SHVS issue brief by @SHADAC highlighting tried and true vaccination strategies states can use to deploy COVID-19 vaccines to kids 💉

[RWJF @RWJF]

The U.S. has reached childhood vaccination rates above 90% for diseases like measles, eliminating disparities along the way. A new RWJF-funded brief shows how successful strategies can be built upon amid the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for kids. https://t.co/hqhhyskgDi

[Becky Lopez @BeckyELopez]

Recent analysis from Kaiser Family Foundation shows US uninsured rate has held steady despite pandemic employment losses - suggests ACA and Medicaid served as a safety net #mssp668

https://t.co/RZ2AR0yv0A