Paragon Health Institute, a leading organization in healthcare research and policy development, has launched the State Health Reform Initiative to support state-level health policy implementation. The program, led by Niklas Kleinworth, aims to help states focus on vulnerable populations while advancing evidence-based, free-market reforms grounded in rigorous data and research. Recognizing that states are uniquely positioned to act as “laboratories of democracy,” the Initiative encourages innovation in healthcare policy to improve affordability, access, and quality. By reducing unnecessary regulations, promoting competition, and eliminating incentives that divert resources away from patients, the Initiative seeks to create sustainable improvements in state health systems. States are also encouraged to adopt practical verification measures to reduce fraud and save taxpayer dollars.
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The Initiative will initially focus on four key areas. First, it will strengthen Medicaid program integrity through better eligibility verification, enforcement of enrollment standards, and identification of waste, fraud, and abuse. Second, it aims to refocus Medicaid resources on the truly vulnerable, including children, pregnant women, low-income populations, and the elderly, while encouraging work and upward mobility and reversing policies that favor able-bodied adults over those in greatest need. Third, the program emphasizes accountability for Medicaid managed care insurers through transparent reporting and enforcement to ensure fair rates and value for both taxpayers and beneficiaries. Fourth, the Initiative seeks to remove barriers to care by expanding healthcare supply, offering alternative coverage options, diversifying physician training, and supporting public health policies that promote well-being.
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Kleinworth, who coauthored the recent paper Preserve and Improve Medicaid: State Action to Protect the Most Vulnerable and Taxpayers with Paragon President Brian Blase, highlighted the practical impact of the Initiative. He noted that it provides states with new tools and strategies to drive meaningful reform at the state level. Kleinworth added that recent federal healthcare changes offer critical opportunities for states to enhance Medicaid integrity, expand patient choice, and improve access to care, ultimately benefiting both patients and taxpayers.
Brian Blase, President of Paragon Health Institute, emphasized the importance of state-level action in the wake of significant federal reforms in 2025. He explained that the Initiative will leverage lessons learned at the federal level, working alongside reform-oriented organizations and lawmakers to deliver research and analysis that supports expanded choice, increased competition, and greater accountability in government health programs. Blase stressed that the Initiative aims to ensure state reforms serve the populations they are intended to help while safeguarding the interests of those who fund these programs.
Through the State Health Reform Initiative, Paragon Health Institute intends to provide states with actionable guidance and evidence-based policy solutions, empowering policymakers to make informed decisions that strengthen Medicaid, protect vulnerable populations, and enhance overall healthcare access and quality.
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