During this recorded learning session, Sandra Wilkniss (Senior Program Director of Population and Public Health at NASHP) presents NASHP's research and learning from convening state Medicaid, public health, behavioral health, and CHW leaders as states strive to build sustainable financing approaches for the CHWs and peers.
This brief summarizes key challenges faced by the rural ambulatory safety net in delivering primary care and behavioral health services since COVID-19 and the policy changes that have been implemented in response to those challenges. It also offers state-level policy recommendations to improve rural-specific primary care and behavioral health care through sustaining and supporting the movement towards telehealth, addressing social needs, and advancing value-based payment and care.