Health and Human Services
The bipartisan, interstate and binational Midwestern Legislative Conference Health and Human Services Committee provides a forum for state and provincial legislators to exchange information and ideas on a wide range of policy issues, particularly those identified by the committee’s legislative officers and members. Activities include ongoing policy research, committee-sponsored webinars for legislators and legislative staff, and in-person meetings.
The committee is made up of legislators from the states and provinces that are part of CSG’s Midwestern Legislative Conference. Illinois Rep. Anna Moeller and South Dakota Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt serve as co-chairs; Iowa Rep. Brett Barker is the vice chair. The committee’s composition changes every biennium, with appointments made by legislative appointing authorities and leaders of the MLC. The CSG Midwest staff liaison for the committee is Tim Anderson.
In August, the committee led a webinar for legislators, legislative staff and other state leaders on “How States Can Leverage Medicaid Funds to Reduce Recidivism and Improve Health Outcomes.”
Presentations, resources from 2025 MLC Annual Meeting
The HHS Committee met and led sessions on July 27 and 28 in conjunction with the 2025 MLC Annual Meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Session on Future of Health Care Delivery
- “The Promise, Potential and Reality of Telehealth,” Dr. Jonathan Neufeld, Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center
- Note: The presentation by Dr. Ivar Mendez of Saskatchewan’s Virtual Health Hub is not available. Learn more about the hub here.
Session on Family-Centered, Community-Based Approaches to Child Welfare
- “Child Welfare Transformation for the Cowessess First Nation,” Cadmus Delorme, OneHoop Consulting & Advisory Services
- “Gold Standard For Child Welfare Services,” Tleena Ives, Casey Family Programs
Summary of recent work and activities
In 2023-2024, the MLC’s Health and Human Services Committee was led by Kansas Rep. Susan Concannon and Illinois Sen. Julie Morrison, co-chairs; and South Dakota Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, vice chair. During the 2023-2024 biennium, the committee:
- hosted an in-person policy workshop for legislators that focused on strategies for improving state child welfare systems;
- developed a policy resource for legislators on policy options that curb the rise of fentanyl-related overdose deaths;
- organized in-person meetings on topics such as state-led, evidence-based strategies to enhance maternal care services and to make the most of investments in substance abuse treatment;
- held a webinar for legislators on Medicaid policy and another on legal representation for youths in child welfare systems; and
- contributed policy articles to the CSG publication Stateline Midwest on topics such as insurance mandates for biomarker testing; assistance for individuals in medical debt; a “reimagining” of state child welfare systems; state-level telehealth policies; financing mechanisms to support 988 lifelines; and how and why to address “place” when looking to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
This webinar helped state leaders understand how they can prepare for uncertainty and maintain crime-victim services even if federal funding, via the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), drops.
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As states face rising health care costs and evolving federal requirements, Medicaid is emerging as a key tool to support successful reentry for people after incarceration. This Aug. 20 webinar detailed new opportunities and policy options, and explored why now is a critical moment for state action.
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In conjunction with the 79th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon, Sask., the MLC Health & Human Services Committee will meet and lead policy sessions on Sunday, July 27, and Monday, July 28.
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Participants heard about the work of the bipartisan, binational Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus; how they can get involved; and how the GLLC helps legislators advance policies to protect and restore the region's water resources.
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