Healthcare Delivery

Governors know that improving the health of citizens is not only essential to ensuring they live productive lives, but also to controlling health care costs and balancing budgets; as a result, states are leading on a wide array of health reform initiatives.

Governors are focused on finding ways to pay for and deliver care that will lead to improved quality, better outcomes and lower costs in their states. To support these priorities, NGA provides information, research synthesis, policy analysis, technical assistance, special projects, and resources to Governors and their staff on healthcare delivery topics including: Healthcare workforce; Long-term care and older adults; Healthcare and pharmaceutical cost and coverage; Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma informed care; Health equity. NGA also provides special opportunities for states to engage in more in-depth technical assistance such as through policy academies, learning collaboratives, workshops, and roundtables on these topics.

Services Available

  • Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on healthcare delivery topics or initiatives
  • Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation support to Governor-appointed healthcare workforce, health equity, trauma, and insurance boards or commissions
  • Annual HHS Advisors Institute for state leaders on emerging healthcare delivery issues
  • Regular communications and briefings to health policy advisors on healthcare delivery topics
  • Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Featured Projects

Next Generation of the Healthcare Workforce Project Year 3 – Policy Academy and Knowledge Exchange Network

NGA launched the Next Generation of the Healthcare Workforce project in 2022 with support from HRSA. The project supports Governors’ offices and other senior state officials in implementing strategies to strengthen and grow the next generation of the healthcare workforce. Year three of this project will focus on a policy academy and learning network to lay the foundation for new initiatives, funding opportunities, or administrative policies for improving healthcare workforce.


Health Equity Learning Network

In 2023, the NGA Center convened states to discuss approaches and communication strategies regarding health equity. In 2024, the NGA Center will facilitate a learning network of states and territories interested in advancing their health equity goals.


Healthcare Delivery Library

An Opportunity for States to Fund Community-Based Prevention Programs

Community-based prevention programs (CBPPs) can serve as an important tool for states to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. New federal authority for states to reimburse for preventive services for ...

The Role of Physician Assistants in Health Care Delivery

Physician assistants (PAs) play a broad and expanding role in the health care system, working in a variety of practice areas and settings because of their adaptably and lower cost, ...

Health Workforce Policy Academy Meeting Building a Transformed Health Care Workforce: Moving from Planning to Implementation

May 19-20, 2014| Washington, D.C. The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices hosted a meeting on May 19-20, 2014, to bring together the seven states participating in the Building ...

States to Focus on Health Care Workforce

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced the selection of seven states—Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Wisconsin—to develop and implement statewide plans for their health care workforce ...

Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse: Lessons Learned from an NGA Policy Academy

As part of the National Governors Association’s (NGA) ongoing effort to help states reduce prescription drug abuse, findings from the Prescription Drug Abuse Reduction Policy Academy were the focus of ...

The Role of Dental Hygienists in Providing Access to Oral Health Care

Basic oral health is an important determinant of overall health, yet access remains a challenge for many Americans. Dental hygienists can play a critical role in improving access to high-quality ...
2012 Maternal and Child Health Update: The Changing Environment of Medicaid/CHIP Coverage for Children and Improving Birth Outcomes

2012 Maternal and Child Health Update: The Changing Environment of Medicaid/CHIP Coverage for Children and Improving Birth Outcomes

The 2012 Maternal and Child Health (MCH) update presents data gathered by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices through a survey of states. (View/Download) The 2012 Maternal ...
Improving Birth Outcomes in Medicaid

Improving Birth Outcomes in Medicaid

Women who begin their pregnancies in poor health are more likely to have negative birth outcomes than healthy women, according to a paper released by the National Governors Association. Improving ...

Effect of Provider Payment Reforms on Maternal and Child Health Services

States are actively pursuing reforms to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care services provided to pregnant women and children, according to a report released by the National Governors ...

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