Medicare Model Helps States Control Costs – Within Limits

Eric Seaborg

November 22, 2021 |

The American Leader |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

A cost-negotiation approach similar to the one used by the federal Medicare program has saved states like Montana and New Jersey millions of dollars negotiating their state employee health insurance plans. In Montana, the state fired its major insurance carrier and set the rates it would pay health providers for care and procedures, rather than vice versa. In New Jersey, a much bigger state, the program was modified by requiring hospitals and providers to reveal its prices and then grouping hospitals by zip code and asking the state's big insurance carrier for bids geographically on that basis.

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Coloradans have been purchasing their own mobile home parks to keep them affordable. But the resident-owned model also comes with challenges, and limitations

Lucas Brady Woods

November 16, 2021 |

KSJD |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

As rents at mobile home parks continue to rise, a Colorado law giving park residents first dibs on buying the park has led to resident-owned parks across the state. Several of these parks are run as co-ops, with resident-elected governing boards that have a mandate to keep rents low. A governing body made up of residents creates community buy-in and accountability for how the park is run. Purchasing and running a park is expensive, so organizations like Homes Fund help residents find funding for the initial purchase.

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Can 'the people' solve climate change? France decided to find out.

Shannon Osaka

November 15, 2021 |

Grist |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: France

In order to cut carbon emissions in France, President Emmanuel Macron created an assembly of 150 randomly selected citizens. The citizens "convention on climate" met and deliberated for months before releasing 149 proposals on how the government should address climate change. Although only 10 made it into law without being altered, and 36 others were included form, the final legislation was one of the most comprehensive passed in the history of the country. The recommendations also garnered conversations and inspired the creation of other assemblies.

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Accessory Dwelling Units Expand Housing Stock Within Boulder's Growth Limits

Lucy Haggard

November 10, 2021 |

KGNU Community Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

Boulder made building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) easier by loosening regulations so that more can be built. ADUs, which can be attached to or behind a main house, address issues of affordable housing and housing availability by providing smaller units with everything someone needs, including a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping quarters. ADUs tap into existing utility lines, and the smaller spaces are more energy efficient, which means that they are cheaper for tenants and more eco-friendly. Other cities, seeing the affordable housing and environmental benefits, have jumped on the ADU bandwagon.

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Preventing road deaths through safe system design

Gary Humphreys

November 01, 2021 |

Bulletin of the World Health Organization |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Bogotá

Safe System design is a public health framework for preventing traffic accidents and death. The system adapts and transforms roads as part of a broader system of reforms. In Bogotá, in addition to a city-wide speed limit, high-risk corridors were identified using geo-referenced collision data and modeling. Multiple locations were transformed into pedestrian friendly streets that encourage lower traffic speeds by using speed bumps, bicycle lanes, wide sidewalks, benches, and planters. Officials note that the change has led to a decline in fatalities.

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California outlawed the all-white-male boardroom. That move is reshaping corporate America

Evan Halper

September 29, 2021 |

Los Angeles Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

A 2018 law requires all publicly traded companies headquartered in California have at least one woman on their board, and as many as three women by the end of 2021 depending on the company’s size. The law, inspired by those in Europe, caused a ripple effect nationwide where women now occupy 50% more corporate board seats than before California’s law. The Nasdaq exchange became an influential force recently by requiring that nearly all of its listed companies’ boards have one woman and one person of color or a person who identifies as LGBTQ. Despite challenges, federal regulators approved the requirement.

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California's new vote-by-mail system is a big win for marginalized groups

Umme Hoque

September 29, 2021 |

Prism |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

A new California law makes universal mail-in voting permanent after it was temporarily adopted for the 2020 election in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Expansion of mail-in voting in 2020 resulted in higher voter turnout, especially among low-income and communities of color. Moving forward, all voters will receive a ballot in the mail 29 days before each election. Voters can fill out their ballot, return it using a prepaid envelope or drop it in a secure drop box, and track in transit online. They also still have the choice to vote in person.

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How France Overcame Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Nick Kostov

September 27, 2021 |

Wall Street Journal |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: France

A mixture of mandates and incentives helped France overcome vaccine hesitancy and encouraged millions to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The government campaign was so successful that some of the restrictions – like the requirement to show a health pass with vaccine status or recent test results before entering public spaces, like a restaurant or train- might soon be eased. Other mandates included requiring masks at primary schools and vaccination for health care workers, with those refusing to face suspension. The health pass requirement is credited with avoiding mass shutdowns again as the delta variant spreads.

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The Struggle of Ending Open Defecation in Adadama, Cross River State

Udeh Obaziota

August 26, 2021 |

Sparkling 92.3 FM |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Nigeria, Adadama, Cross River

A community-led sanitation approach ended the practice of open defecation, a major cause of water pollution and stomach diseases. The program educated people to change social norms and laws requiring every household to own a toilet and punishing those who defecated in the river with a substantial fine were critical to its effectiveness. The community drove the program, with widespread adoption made easier by the benefits like fewer flies and less stomach illnesses. Low budget toilets, requiring only labor to dig a hole and resources available in the bush, were constructed so that everyone could afford it.

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Seattle will invest $30 million in strategies recommended by panel for communities of color

Daniel Beekman

August 09, 2021 |

The Seattle Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

The Equitable Communities Initiative brought together representatives from a range of nonprofits serving people of color to make recommendations for investments that support communities of color. Each panelist brought distinct work and life experiences that informed their recommendations for 18 kinds of investments. The city has approved the $30 million budget to address long-standing disparities in the areas of business, education, health, and housing. The model relied on advocates with on-the-ground knowledge of community needs to take the lead, while city staffers provided logistic and technical support.

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