Overview

Many of the rules and regulations governing health insurers and providers—as well as the health care system itself—are determined or implemented at the state level. States regulate health plans; set health care quality reporting requirements for Health Management Organizations (HMOs) and other managed care plans; license physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory care clinics; and implement medical malpractice regulations, medical liability rules, and medical error reporting systems.

State regulation can be a powerful tool to promote continuous health care quality improvement, improve access to health care services, and protect the health and safety of state residents. To help the states track and affect health care market trends, the Center is:

• Tracking regulation trends in the states;
• Highlighting best practices in privacy and security of electronic health information exchange;
• Providing technical assistance to states on regulatory options; and
• Working with states to link reform in health care regulation to quality improvement and access expansion.