Archive for July 2010
150,000 coming into already troubled Medicaid program
Finally attention is being paid to probably the largest impact of national reform – an estimated 150,000 people in CT will become eligible for Medicaid/HUSKY; an increase of 38% over current levels. Any reader of this blog knows how HUSKY has struggled since its inception. A secret shopper survey found only one in four listed…
Read MoreFree state employee retiree health coverage being re-considered
The CT Mirror is reporting that some members of a state panel charged with addressing underfunding of CT’s state retiree benefits are questioning the policy giving retirees and their spouses completely free health benefits for life. State employees with just ten years of service are eligible for the benefit, which is unusual in the private…
Read MoreNew report on states and quality-based purchasing
Health care consumes 17% of America’s economy and, sometime this year, government’s share of that spending will pass 50%. A consensus is growing that the way we pay for health care is driving costs. The current fee-for-service system encourages utilization and does nothing to improve quality. States have important and unique roles in the health…
Read MoreMedicaid Managed Care Council Update
First, at Friday’s meeting the Council decided to meet in August (on Friday the 13th) – we rarely do that – because of the many challenges and opportunities facing the program. At the meeting, DSS reported that they have sent a letter to CMS seeking guidance about how to move HUSKY from the current, controversial…
Read MoreCT visit from the FMAP van, nursing homes without air conditioning, and more Medicare donut hole checks mailed
Wednesday the Driving for Quality Care RV stopped in Manchester to bring attention to Congress’ failure to pass an extension of the FMAP increase. FMAP is the matching rate the federal government pays CT for Medicaid spending. The 2009 federal stimulus bill raised the rates for all states, but that increase is scheduled to end…
Read MoreCT hospitals score well in quality
The Hartford Courant is reporting that new data from Medicare’s Hospital Compare site rate CT hospitals highly in quality. For example, the national average time for patients with chest pain to get an electrocardiogram is 43 minutes; in CT patients wait only 19 minutes. However, we pay more than 38 other states; hospital expenses per…
Read MoreAdvocacy toolbox addition – leading task forces
The CT Health Policy Project’s Advocate’s Toolbox has been updated with hints on chairing a legislative task force or committee. Advice includes organizing the issues, protocols of Co-Chairing, and how to handle bomb-throwers.
Read MoreAetna paper health files sold with used furniture
Lest any reader think that paper health records are more secure than electronic files, the Hartford Courant reports that file folders with personal information on 4,900 people were accidentally left in a filing cabinet sold or given away free. Eighteen of the members whose information was in the files are Connecticut residents. The filing cabinet…
Read MoreIn first test implementing health reform, state reconsidering high risk pool plans
In our state’s first test implementing federal health reform, Governor Rell has asked DSS and other agencies to start over in their decision to build onto CT’s high risk pool. The federal Accountable Care Act provides funding for temporary programs to provide coverage to people left out of the private market due to; the programs…
Read MoreSustiNet advisory committee and task force reports posted
The final reports of the five SustiNet advisory committees on patient-centered medical homes, health information technology, prevention, quality and providers, and disparities are posted. Also posted are the reports of the three SustiNet task forces on health care workforce, obesity and tobacco.
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