What Are Governors Saying About Health Care? (2025 State of the State Addresses)
Over the past two months, governors across the country have laid out key policy priorities for the next year in their State of the State addresses. This year, the majority of governors have made healthcare a key issue with several highlighting behavioral health, workforce, and affordability as priorities.
Behavioral Health
One of the most popular health care topics among governors was behavioral health. In particular, multiple governors emphasized youth mental health, with call outs to the impact of social media and technology by the governors in Arkansas, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, and Utah. Several governors proposed regulation of social media to protect children and expansion of school-based metal health services. Additionally, several governors mentioned infrastructure and highlighted investments into addiction recovery programs and behavioral health facilities.
Healthcare Workforce Issues
Healthcare workforce issues were also mentioned frequently by governors. In several states governors touted success and promoted further action to decrease licensure barriers, expand loan repayment programs, and support career pipeline development. In particular, several governors discussed initiatives to improve access to maternal health providers. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) suggested tort reform to establish stronger protections for healthcare providers, especially OBGYNs, and lower insurance rates, while Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon (R) suggested increasing Medicaid funding for maternal care providers.
Healthcare Affordability
Healthcare affordability for consumers has emerged as another key gubernatorial policy priority. Several Democratic governors called attention to prescription drug prices and discussed proposals to control costs. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont urged legislators to limit annual generic drug price increases to inflation. Colorado Governor Jared Polis requested the FDA approve the state’s drug importation plan. Wisconsin Governor Evers urged the legislature to consider his Less for Rx Plan, including programs aimed at setting price ceilings, improving oversight of drug companies, removing the sales tax on over-the-counter medications and capping the copay on insulin at $35.
2025 State of the State Dates and Transcripts
If you are interested in the specifics of gubernatorial priorities, access the full text of every State of the State address here.
Track Health Care Policy
The ever-evolving state health policy landscape will continue to influence how health care organizations make business decisions. MultiState’s team pulls from decades of expertise to help you effectively navigate and engage. MultiState’s team understands the issues, knows the key players and organizations, and we harness that expertise to help our clients effectively navigate and engage on their policy priorities. We offer customized strategic solutions to help you develop and execute a proactive multistate agenda focused on your company’s goals. Learn more about our Health Care Policy Practice.