These directors are well positioned to blaze a trail for their states and the nation in achieving better quality care for every taxpayer dollar invested in publicly financed health care.
Tommy G. Thompson
Chairman, Medicaid Leadership Institute National Advisory Committee
Curriculum Overview
The Medicaid Leadership Institute curriculum is designed to be dynamic and relevant to the interests of participating Fellows as well as the current environment at both the federal and state levels. It focuses on broad macroeconomic and health policy issues, Medicaid operational issues, and leadership development.
All Fellows attend up to four, three day in-person meetings. In addition, they receive site visits, one-on-one leadership coaching, and direct technical assistance in implementing a practicum on a salient policy issue of their choosing. The year-long curriculum is designed to increase Fellows’ substantive knowledge, technical skills, strategic thinking, problem solving, and individualized leadership skills. The curriculum features three distinct tracks:
Track 1: Economics and Policy
The focus is on the implications of broad macro-economic and policy issues on state Medicaid programs. Examples of topics include health and behavioral economics, health reform, and other salient economic and policy issues. The fellows meet at Princeton University in September of the Fellowship year and draw on the expertise of leading faculty members and nationally recognized economists and health policy figures.
Track 2: Techincal and Operational
The focus is on the technical and operational aspects of Medicaid with specific emphasis on implementing ACA coverage expansion provisions, and improving the quality and cost effectiveness of health care. Examples of topics include Medicaid’s interface with the exchanges, value-based health care delivery and measurement strategies, and Medicaid payment and delivery system innovation. Experts from across the country act as faculty for this track.
Track 3: Leadership
The focus is on developing the leadership and organizational management skills necessary to lead complex Medicaid programs within the context of larger state governments. Topics include leadership development, team building, strategic planning, and communications. The Center for Health Professions at the University of California San Francisco guides this track and assigns leadership coaches to the Fellows to help them achieve their development goals for the year.
Practicum
The practicum serves as the foundation upon which Fellows actively build the curriculum tracks into their daily work. The practicum is designed to help Fellows think about how to foster, pursue and reward innovation within their agencies. CHCS works closely with Fellows in the selection of a practicum that best stretches individual leadership skills and achieves a tangible benefit for the Medicaid program. Throughout the program year Fellows and their selected team members receive technical assistance from CHCS and its partners regarding the practicum.
Alumni Network
Each cohort of Fellows becomes part of an active alumnae network. Alumni are encouraged to serve as faculty members and mentors for future MLI Fellows.
