COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133
Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2021
Senator Joan Lovely Completes Work on Two-Year CSG Healthy States National Task Force
The Council of State Governments (CSG) released the findings of its member-driven Healthy States National Task Force, which addresses shared public policy issues in state government. Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) served as a valuable member of this elite working group of 50 state officials, who were tasked with finding bipartisan policy solutions, developing case studies and providing an outline of recommendations for state elected and appointed officials to improve health outcomes across their communities.
“I appreciated the opportunity to serve on the CSG Healthy States National Task Force to collaborate with state leaders on ways to improve our healthcare systems,” said Senator Lovely. “Now more than ever, we need to make quality health care more accessible so we can keep our communities safe and healthy during COVID-19.”
The United States spends more money on health care than any other industrialized nation, but does not have the best results. This task force sought to help states reduce costs and improve outcomes.
When the CSG Healthy States National Task Force began its work, the COVID-19 virus had not yet arrived. The task force did anticipate, however, that states should focus on health innovation, technology, affordability, capacity, preparedness and access to ensure that state health systems could meet any challenge.
“It would be an understatement to say that the COVID-19 health crisis has created new challenges, but in these unprecedented times, state leaders have been resilient, flexible and have renewed their commitment to work together,” said David Adkins, executive director/CEO of The Council of State Governments. “In the wake of the global pandemic, as states continue to work to identify and implement policies that will improve health outcomes across their communities, the work of these task forces also continued.”
The recommendations of the national task force are detailed in its full report and reflect two years of the thoughtful work of its members, who studied best state practices in areas of health while also navigating a global pandemic.
“For more than 85 years, The Council of State Governments has convened public servants who strive to solve complex problems in order to make their communities, states and the world a better place for everyone,” Adkins said. “The state officials serving on this CSG national task force continued this tradition by digging deep into health issues and innovations to determine best practices in these areas and to share state successes with their peers.”
To access the full CSG Healthy States National Task Force Report and to view the Report Summary and Suggested Strategies and Opportunities Checklist, visit web.csg.org/healthystates.
About The Council of State Governments
Founded in 1933, The Council of State Governments is the nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. Learn more at csg.org.