Professor Heather Howard,  co-director of CHW's Global Health Program and director of State Health and Value Strategies (SHVS), led a group of MPA students to Arizona over the fall break for her annual health policy workshop. Students examined Arizona’s implementation of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA) through a state’s unique political and operational environment, focusing specifically on a population that has significant health care needs — those persons reentering the community from justice involvement and incarceration.

“On the visit to Phoenix, meetings with state and county officials, health care providers, and justice advocates helped students to understand the policy environment in Arizona,” Howard said. “But the most meaningful experience was the half-day at Perryville, Arizona's women's prison, speaking to incarcerated women about their experiences, their hopes for the future, and how health services provided through government programs could support their health and successful reentry into the community.”

The workshop is co-taught by Howard and Daniel Meuse, SHVS deputy director.