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

Governors Unite in the War Against Opioids

Governors gathered at the 2016 Winter Meeting to discuss how to address the nation’s opioid crisis, which claims the lives of 78 people each day. At the Health and Human ...

Governors Lead the Charge on Opioid Abuse, Education Reform, Zika Response

WASHINGTON—At the 2016 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting, led by Chair Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Vice Chair Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, more than 40 governors gathered to discuss critical issues of ...

Governors, Physicians Call For End To Nation’s Opioid Epidemic

Joint statement by National Governors Association (NGA) Health and Human Services Committee Chair Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker; Vice Chair New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan; American Medical Association (AMA) Chair-Elect Patrice ...

Governors Make Recommendations To Address National Opioid Epidemic

WASHINGTON—To address the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, the nation’s governors are calling on the federal government to take swift action. Governors’ Priorities for Addressing the Nation’s Opioid Crisis provide ...

NGA Helps Alabama Secure Medicaid Waiver Approval

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has announced the Alabama Medicaid Agency’s regional care organization plan, which provides medical care to most Alabamians on Medicaid, has been approved by the Centers for Medicare ...

State, Local Leaders Expand Efforts to Treat Opioid Overdoses

NGA, the National Association of Counties and other organizations today announced an agreement that will offer public agencies access to a reduced-price, potentially lifesaving opioid withdrawal nasal spray. The FDA-approved ...

Medicaid Health Care Purchasing Compendium

States face the ongoing challenge of managing the costs of their Medicaid programs while ensuring beneficiaries have access to quality health care. A more rigorous purchasing approach can help states ...

Medicaid Data and Reporting

The Honorable Orrin Hatch Chairman Committee on Finance United States Senate 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Ron Wyden Ranking Member Committee on Finance United States ...
Leveraging Gubernatorial Executive Authorities to Maximize Scope of Practice for the Health Care Workforce During an Influenza Pandemic Roundtable

Leveraging Gubernatorial Executive Authorities to Maximize Scope of Practice for the Health Care Workforce During an Influenza Pandemic Roundtable

An influenza pandemic has a much broader impact on the population than the typical seasonal flu. Pandemics usually lastlonger and may lead to an increased number of affected persons, more ...

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