Archive for September 2012
Exchange Board approves Essential Health Benefits standard – false choice between benefits and cost
Yesterday the CT Health Insurance Exchange Board approved CT’s version of the Essential Health Benefit (EHB) package under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As of January 1, 2014 individual and small group plans will have to cover at least the EHB services. The ACA required that the EHB include at least ambulatory patient services, emergency…
Read MoreJoin us for Consumer Conversations: the CT Health Insurance Exchange
January 1, 2014 every CT resident will be required to secure health coverage. The CT Health Insurance Exchange is being developed under the Affordable Care Act to be a fair, user-friendly marketplace for consumers and small businesses to buy decent coverage, hopefully at an affordable price. The Exchange has not heard consumer voices, does not…
Read MoreResources on PCMHs and health equity
Care coordination is only one aspect of patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) that can have a large impact in promoting health equity. PCMHs are primary care practices that create partnerships among a team of providers that serve and support consumers in improving their own health. In addition to care coordination, PCMHs track the population health needs…
Read MoreCandidate briefing book posted
The CT Health Policy Project’s 2012 candidate briefing book on CT’s health is posted. This year’s book includes briefs on thirteen timely issues including health care cost drivers, CT’s health insurance exchange and CT & national health reform. The briefing book is part of www.cthealthbook.org our resource library on health care issues and solutions facing…
Read MoreHealth Justice Town Hall
Health Justice Town Hall Meeting 2012, a statewide discussion on creating solutions for a healthy and equitable Connecticut, will be held October 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Meetings will be held that evening in three locations – the Legislative Office Building, and two Community Health Center Inc locations — 675 Main St., Middletown and…
Read MoreNo CT hospitals make top quality list
The national experts who are responsible for accrediting US hospitals, the Joint Commission, has just released their list of 620 hospitals, Top Performers on Key Quality Measures. The 620 hospitals were recognized for providing “evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to be the best treatments for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical…
Read MoreState Employee wellness program working
Preliminary results from the new Health Enhancement Program (HEP) for state employees show decreasing use of specialists and increasing use of primary care. HEP is a wellness program that gives state employees incentives to manage chronic conditions and prevent new problems. HEP grew out of last year’s labor negotiations designed to both reduce costs and…
Read MoreNew uninsured brief posted
Check our uninsured brief for more information on the drop in uninsured CT residents last year. See where the gains came from, where residents get coverage, why it matters, and why we need to continue the important work of reform.
Read MoreCensus finds 94,000 more CT residents had health coverage last year
New US Census numbers found that the number of uninsured CT residents dropped to 303,000 last year from 397,000 in 2010, to 8.6% of all state residents from 11.6%. The rate of uninsurance in CT has been rising since 2005. The Affordable Care Act deserves much of the credit for the drop, especially for the…
Read MoreKaiser taking guesses on uninsured number
New Census figures on the number of Americans without health coverage last year are due out Wednesday morning. Experts expect the number to be up slightly as unemployment remains high. Kaiser Health News is taking guesses on their blog. The closest guess gets recognition. Any guesses for CT’s number? Go to our brief from last…
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