The federal government cannot leave healthcare reform to the states, a new study finds.

While state innovation in the areas of healthcare coverage, cost and quality gaps is important, states need the federal government for funding, according to an article, “State-Federal Partnerships for Access to Care: An End and a Means,” in the March 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

States also may lack the infrastructure or the financial support to mount new initiatives, requiring the federal government to step in to help, the article said. The Health Partnership Act, S. 325, a new bill introduced in January, sets a good example for federal-state partnerships, researchers said. The bill would give federal grants to states to carry out a broad range of private and public strategies to increase coverage, improve quality, and use information technology.