NCSL Podcasts

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Government
**NCSL Podcasts**

Learn about the people, policies and politics of America’s state legislatures with NCSL’s three podcasts: “Our American States,” “Across the Aisle” and the special limited series “Building Democracy.”

Latest Episodes:

**Isolation and Loneliness Amid the Pandemic | OAS Episode 122** Feb 15, 2021
Show notes

Social isolation and loneliness are topics most of us have first-hand experience with after a year of a pandemic has left us unable to spend time with family and friends. The ill effects of such isolation are not just on our mental health but also can affect our physical health just as much as cigarette smoking or obesity.
Our guests are Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology at Brigham Young University in Utah, and Lori Gerhard, director of the Office of Interagency Innovation at the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Holt-Lunstad, who has studied the topic for decades, discusses groups in society most at risk for social isolation and how public policy can help address the problem. Gerhard addresses particularly how social isolation affects older Americans and how policies at the federal and state level can help them with these challenges.
Resources
OAS Episode 122 Transcription
"Sustaining Behavioral Health Services Through the Pandemic"
“The Double Pandemic of Social Isolation and COVID-19: Cross-Sector Policy Must Address Both,” by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad
U.S. Administration for Community Living

**Isolation and Loneliness Amid the Pandemic | OAS Episode 122** Feb 15, 2021
Show notes

Social isolation and loneliness are topics most of us have first-hand experience with after a year of a pandemic has left us unable to spend time with family and friends. The ill effects of such isolation are not just on our mental health but also can affect our physical health just as much as cigarette smoking or obesity.
Our guests are Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology at Brigham Young University in Utah, and Lori Gerhard, director of the Office of Interagency Innovation at the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Holt-Lunstad, who has studied the topic for decades, discusses groups in society most at risk for social isolation and how public policy can help address the problem. Gerhard addresses particularly how social isolation affects older Americans and how policies at the federal and state level can help them with these challenges.
Resources
OAS Episode 122 Transcription
"Sustaining Behavioral Health Services Through the Pandemic"
“The Double Pandemic of Social Isolation and COVID-19: Cross-Sector Policy Must Address Both,” by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad
U.S. Administration for Community Living

Dr Jonathan Mermin, CDC — **Ending HIV/AIDS in the U.S. | OAS Episode 121** Feb 08, 2021
Show notes

HIV/AIDS has killed about 700,000 people in the U.S. since it first emerged more than 40 years ago. But deaths have dropped dramatically since the mid-‘90s as new treatments have beome available. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2019 launched the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative that aims to eliminate the disease in this country.

On this podcast, we talk with Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He discusses the range of treatments available to fight HIV/AIDS, strategies to prevent spread of the disease and the role state policymakers can play in helping eradicate the disease.

Our other guest if Charlie Severance-Medaris, a policy expert at NCSL. Charlie explains the steps states are taking to help people to get access to critical medications, changes in laws that have criminalized some behaviors for people with HIV/AIDS, and other efforts at the state level to end the epidemic.

Resources

Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America, CDC

Ending the HIV Epidemic: Jurisdictional Plans, NASTAD

HIV and STD Criminalization Laws, CDC

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention

NCSL’s Injury Prevention Database

NCSL’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Database

OAS Episode 121 Transcription

Preventing Infectious Diseases Caused by Injecting Drugs

Syringe Service Programs, CDC

Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL — **Ending HIV/AIDS in the U.S. | OAS Episode 121** Feb 08, 2021
Show notes

HIV/AIDS has killed about 700,000 people in the U.S. since it first emerged more than 40 years ago. But deaths have dropped dramatically since the mid-‘90s as new treatments have beome available. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2019 launched the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative that aims to eliminate the disease in this country.

On this podcast, we talk with Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He discusses the range of treatments available to fight HIV/AIDS, strategies to prevent spread of the disease and the role state policymakers can play in helping eradicate the disease.

Our other guest if Charlie Severance-Medaris, a policy expert at NCSL. Charlie explains the steps states are taking to help people to get access to critical medications, changes in laws that have criminalized some behaviors for people with HIV/AIDS, and other efforts at the state level to end the epidemic.

Resources

Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America, CDC

Ending the HIV Epidemic: Jurisdictional Plans, NASTAD

HIV and STD Criminalization Laws, CDC

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention

NCSL’s Injury Prevention Database

NCSL’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Database

OAS Episode 121 Transcription

Preventing Infectious Diseases Caused by Injecting Drugs

Syringe Service Programs, CDC

Let’s Make a Deal: The Art of Legislative Negotiation | OAS Episode 120 Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

The ability to negotiate skillfully is critical to a well-functioning legislature. On this episode, our guest makes the point that negotiation skills are not only crucial to the legislature, they are similarly important in just about everything you do in life.

Our guest, Monica Giannone, is a consultant and trainer specializing in negotiation and conflict resolution. She also runs the Harvard Kennedy School Negotiation Project and is an adjunct lecturer in negotiation at Babson College.

Resources

**States and COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution | OAS Episode 119** Jan 18, 2021
Show notes

Every state in the country is involved in distributing and administering the two COVID-19 vaccines now approved for use by the US. Food and Drug Administration. Each state is working with a plan that it created in consultation with the federal government.

On this podcast we discuss how those plans were created, how they’ve had to change as the pandemic has progressed and what lies ahead.

Our guests are Hemi Tewarson, an expert in state plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccines. She is a visiting senior policy fellow at the Margolis Center for Health policy at Duke University. As a health policy expert, she has studied the state vaccine plans and discusses how those are working, changes in federal guidance and when everyone will have access to the vaccine.

Our other guest is Tahra Johnson, a policy expert at NCSL. Tahra discusses state legislative action related to vaccine plans and how legislators can get involved in the planning process.

Resources

COVID-19 Vaccination Program- Interim Playbook, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

State Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19), NCSL COVID-19 Legislation Database

"First COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in the U.S.," State Legislatures magazine

Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine, National Academy of Medicine

OAS Episode 119 Transcription

State Health Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

"State Legislatures Inject Momentum Into COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts," State Legislatures magazine

**States and COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution | OAS Episode 119** Jan 18, 2021
Show notes

Every state in the country is involved in distributing and administering the two COVID-19 vaccines now approved for use by the US. Food and Drug Administration. Each state is working with a plan that it created in consultation with the federal government.

On this podcast we discuss how those plans were created, how they’ve had to change as the pandemic has progressed and what lies ahead.

Our guests are Hemi Tewarson, an expert in state plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccines. She is a visiting senior policy fellow at the Margolis Center for Health policy at Duke University. As a health policy expert, she has studied the state vaccine plans and discusses how those are working, changes in federal guidance and when everyone will have access to the vaccine.

Our other guest is Tahra Johnson, a policy expert at NCSL. Tahra discusses state legislative action related to vaccine plans and how legislators can get involved in the planning process.

Resources

COVID-19 Vaccination Program- Interim Playbook, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

State Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19), NCSL COVID-19 Legislation Database

"First COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in the U.S.," State Legislatures magazine

Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine, National Academy of Medicine

OAS Episode 119 Transcription

State Health Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

"State Legislatures Inject Momentum Into COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts," State Legislatures magazine

Colleen Becker, NCSL — **The Fiscal Challenge of Emerging Gene Therapies | OAS Episode 118** Jan 11, 2021
Show notes

A new category of gene therapies is offering life-changing treatments to people with some forms of cancer and other rare disorders. These revolutionary treatments, however, come with a large price tag, sometimes exceeding millions of dollars for a single patient. Often, these costs fall on state Medicaid systems.

On this podcast we discuss how states are dealing with this challenge. One of our guests is Anne Winter, a Medicaid strategist with the national research and consulting firm Health Management Associates. Winter, who has particular expertise in pharmacy benefit management, discusses some of the strategies state are employing.

Our other guest is Colleen Becker, a policy expert at NCSL, who lays out the scope of the challenge facing states.

Additional Resources

NCSL Health Program

OAS Episode 118 Transcription

Anne Winter, Health Management Associates — **The Fiscal Challenge of Emerging Gene Therapies | OAS Episode 118** Jan 11, 2021
Show notes

A new category of gene therapies is offering life-changing treatments to people with some forms of cancer and other rare disorders. These revolutionary treatments, however, come with a large price tag, sometimes exceeding millions of dollars for a single patient. Often, these costs fall on state Medicaid systems.

On this podcast we discuss how states are dealing with this challenge. One of our guests is Anne Winter, a Medicaid strategist with the national research and consulting firm Health Management Associates. Winter, who has particular expertise in pharmacy benefit management, discusses some of the strategies state are employing.

Our other guest is Colleen Becker, a policy expert at NCSL, who lays out the scope of the challenge facing states.

Additional Resources

NCSL Health Program

OAS Episode 118 Transcription

Tim Storey, NCSL — **State of State Legislatures 2021 | OAS Episode 117** Jan 04, 2021
Show notes

After a year like no other, legislators face some unprecedented challenges when they return to work in the 2021 sessions. COVID-19 and its effects on every aspect of society—the economy, the health care, education, criminal justice and more—will be front and center for every legislature in the nation.

Tim Storey, executive director of NCSL, is the guest on the podcast and offers his perspective on what it all means. We discussed how legislatures will meet, what their priority lists look like, how budgets are shaping up and what a new administration in Washington, D.C., means for states.

Additional Resources

2021 Session Prep: Resources for Legislative Staff

OAS Episode 117 Transcription

Back to the Future: The Past Year Will Guide Planning for 2021 Sessions

State of State Legislatures 2020, Podcast

**Time to Redistrict | OAS Episode 116** Dec 17, 2020
Show notes

Possibly the most underreported story during the November 2020 election was the effect it would have on redistricting, the once-a-decade effort to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

On the podcast, Ben Williams, an NCSL policy expert on redistricting, explains how the election sets up legislatures to start the redistricting process, and discusses when the U.S. Census Bureau will supply states with the data they need to do both reapportionment and redistricting. He also fills us in on upcoming three-day redistricting seminar offered by NCSL that will take legislators and legislative staff through the various challenges involved in the process.

Resources

NCSL Online Redistricting Seminar | Jan. 6-8, 2021

OAS Episode 116 Transcription

Redistricting Homepage

Alabama Rep. Debbie Wood — **Some Sage Advice for New Legislators | OAS Episode 115** Dec 14, 2020
Show notes

As the 2021 legislative sessions begin, about 15% of the lawmakers will be first timers. As with any new job, a little advice from more seasoned colleagues can be helpful.

On this podcast, I’m joined by Alabama Representative Debbie Wood and former Maine Representative Matt Moonen. They bring different perspectives. Wood, a Republican, was elected in 2018, and is completing her first term. Moonen, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 and retired this year because of term limits. He served as House majority leader.

They talked about what surprised them the most when they first arrived in the legislature; how they handle relationships with colleagues, lobbyists and constituents; and their best piece of advice for new legislators.

Resources

NCSL New Members Webpage

OAS Episode 115 Transcription

What I Wish I Knew Parts 1 and 2, NCSL podcasts

Former Maine Rep. Matt Moonen — **Some Sage Advice for New Legislators | OAS Episode 115** Dec 14, 2020
Show notes

As the 2021 legislative sessions begin, about 15% of the lawmakers will be first timers. As with any new job, a little advice from more seasoned colleagues can be helpful.

On this podcast, I’m joined by Alabama Representative Debbie Wood and former Maine Representative Matt Moonen. They bring different perspectives. Wood, a Republican, was elected in 2018, and is completing her first term. Moonen, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 and retired this year because of term limits. He served as House majority leader.

They talked about what surprised them the most when they first arrived in the legislature; how they handle relationships with colleagues, lobbyists and constituents; and their best piece of advice for new legislators.

Resources

NCSL New Members Webpage

OAS Episode 115 Transcription

What I Wish I Knew Parts 1 and 2, NCSL podcasts

Dr. Wanda Barfield, CDC — **CDC and States Working to Reduce Maternal Mortality | OAS Episode 114** Dec 07, 2020
Show notes

An estimated 700 women will die from pregnancy-related complications in the U.S. this year, and most of those deaths are preventable. In addition, Black and Indigenous women are two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy related issues than White women.

On this podcast, the focus is on maternal mortality. I talk with Dr. Wanda Barfield, the director of the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She discusses efforts by the CDC to reduce the number of deaths, including sharing strategies with state legislators as they try to craft solutions that work best in their states.

My second guest is Khanh Nguyen, a policy expert at NCSL who tracks legislation related to maternal mortality. She shares examples of specific legislation and approaches employed by states, including a focus on helping Black and Indigenous women.

Additional Resources

Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hear Her campaign, CDC

OAS Episode 114 Transcription

Reproductive Health, CDC

Saving Moms: Strategies to Reduce Maternal Mortality in the U.S., NCSL webinar

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Khanh Nguyen, NCSL — **CDC and States Working to Reduce Maternal Mortality | OAS Episode 114** Dec 07, 2020
Show notes

An estimated 700 women will die from pregnancy-related complications in the U.S. this year, and most of those deaths are preventable. In addition, Black and Indigenous women are two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy related issues than White women.

On this podcast, the focus is on maternal mortality. I talk with Dr. Wanda Barfield, the director of the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She discusses efforts by the CDC to reduce the number of deaths, including sharing strategies with state legislators as they try to craft solutions that work best in their states.

My second guest is Khanh Nguyen, a policy expert at NCSL who tracks legislation related to maternal mortality. She shares examples of specific legislation and approaches employed by states, including a focus on helping Black and Indigenous women.

Additional Resources

Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hear Her campaign, CDC

OAS Episode 114 Transcription

Reproductive Health, CDC

Saving Moms: Strategies to Reduce Maternal Mortality in the U.S., NCSL webinar

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Building Democracy: The Story of Legislatures | Episode 4 Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Overview

Podcast logo NCSL’s Our American States podcast presents a special six-part series, “Building Democracy: The Story of Legislatures.” This new mini-series covers the history, characters and stories of state legislatures in America, from the beginnings in Jamestown, to the present day and into the future.

Each episode in the series will contain interviews with experts from inside and outside the legislative world to provide a comprehensive view of historical events and their legacy in today’s legislatures. Extras will include extended guest interview clips, articles in NCSL’s State Legislatures magazine, blogs and resources for those who want to dive deeper into topics covered in the podcast.

Episode 4

In this installment of NCSL’s six-episode podcast series, “Building Democracy: The Story of Legislatures,” we travel west to see how women fought and won their right to vote, as well as how they shaped state legislatures and life on the frontier well before the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

The story of the 19th Amendment and its dramatic ninth-hour ratification on the floor of the Tennessee House is well known and often told. Yet, momentous events in the history of women in the American West are overlooked. While their sisters fought in the salons, houses of worship and halls of government in the urban “civilized” East, women strode ahead helping to form governments in the rough and yet malleable West. Women in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado (to name only a few) fought against stereotypes and social expectations to win the recognition of their rights as American citizens. Each state’s suffrage movement had unique motivations and avenues to success. One common thread to their strategies? State legislatures.

Guests

Senator Affie Ellis, Wyoming│ Bio
Representative Meg Froelich, Colorado │ Bio
Rebekah Clark, historical research associate, Better Days 2020│ Bio

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