*This is an archived past project.

Governors face the economic challenge of competing in a global economy in the midst of a national recession and state budgetary crisis. The key to surmounting this challenge is smart people and new discoveries—in other words, those things that support innovative capacity across the economy.

The current conversation about how to reform the nation’s on health care system centers on the important task of financing care and expanding insurance coverage. However, as much as 60 percent of what impacts our health occurs outside of the physician’s office and hospital.

The power of information technology is multiplied when information is shared between different parts of the justice system. The challenges that accompany information sharing, or "IT integration" are complex.

Integration between health information technology (HIT) initiatives in states and Medicaid programs is essential for providers to receive incentive payments under the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which was put in place by the HITECH Act.

*This is an archived past project.

*This is an archived past project.

*This is an archived past project.

There is growing demand in today’s labor market for skilled workers in a variety of fields, particularly in jobs that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.

The abuse of prescription drugs is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, and is the most common type of drug abuse after marijuana use among teens between the ages of 12 and 17. To combat the growing problem, the National Governors Association (NGA) is hosting a year-long project led by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

States have been establishing and expanding programs that assist the elderly, disabled and chronically ill purchase and acquire pharmaceuticals.  Prescription drug assistance is available through Medicaid, state pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs), and discount programs – all of which vary by state.

Chronic diseases account for nearly 80 percent of all health care costs. Such conditions can also affect the states’ workforce. Lost workdays and lower productivity due to chronic diseases can result in an annual economic loss of over $1 trillion dollars.

*This is an archived past project.

The unexpected outbreak of an influenza pandemic in the spring of 2009 highlighted the need for states to prepare for all hazards, not just natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The pervasive threat of infectious disease and the more insidious threat of bioterrorism require that public health, emergency management and homeland security professionals work collaboratively to develop preparedness plans and strategies.

Communications interoperability is the foundation for improving response efforts among public safety and emergency services agencies. Ensuring rapid, clear and secure voice and data communications is essential to effective emergency response, particularly when multiple agencies and jurisdictions are involved.

States are facing a protracted budget crisis like none seen in the last 30 years, and perhaps not seen since the Great Depression. State balance sheets face a long, slow climb toward fiscal health and may not reach pre-recession revenue levels for years to come. As a result, many states have launched urgent efforts to redesign and downsize government.

2009-10 NGA Chair Gov. Jim Douglas' Initiative

There are currently approximately 496,000 children in the custody of state child welfare systems. On average, these children will remain in foster care for 2½ years with a 40 percent chance of experiencing three or more placements. In addition, close to 25,000 youth age out of the foster care system each year with little family or community support.

Economic growth in the 21st century will be driven by our nation's ability to both generate ideas and translate them into innovative products and services. Improving high school graduation rates and ensuring that all students are ready for college and the workforce is vital to states' ability to compete in the global economy.

States across the country are working to increase energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and explore other clean energy resources as part of a diverse approach to meeting the nation’s energy needs. Every state is working to advance clean energy measures in one or more areas; however, there is not a one-size fits all approach.

The number of people without health insurance in the United States continues to increase as a result of rising health care costs and decreasing employer-based coverage.  Because of its broad scope and complexity, the lack of health insurance in America does not have a quick fix.

Enacted as part of the Balanced Budget Act in 1997, the state children’s health insurance program (SCHIP), provides coverage to low-income children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but that are unable to afford private coverage.