Posts by Ellen Andrews
Reference pricing lowers healthcare prices, could save CT millions
Hospital prices are driving up healthcare costs making coverage unaffordable, in Connecticut and across the US. It’s hard to reduce hospital prices, especially in consolidated markets like Connecticut’s, where huge health systems have monopoly power to demand steep prices. But since 2019, Oregon has been saving $50 million annually on just their state employee plan,…
Read MoreBook Club: The Seven Rules of Trust
There’s been a lot of hand wringing about trust lately. The loss of trust in science, government, institutions, and organizations has serious consequences. When it’s lost, it’s hard to repair. The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things that Last is an excellent place to start exploring how to fix the mess we’ve…
Read MoreStill the best kept secret in CT healthcare – CID insurer report card
The 2025 annual CT health insurance plan comparison report from the CT Insurance Department (CID) is an underappreciated gold mine of information – for people and employers choosing plans and for researchers looking for trends and high performers. CID has been publishing the report since at least 2011. The Consumer Report Card on Health Insurance…
Read MoreWorkforce chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated
We’ve updated the Workforce chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new numbers and new topics, including more information on shortages. CT Healthcare Explained is our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic sections, workforce includes a Basics summary and a much longer…
Read MoreAnalysis: The real goal of Medicaid work requirements
An old saying goes, there’s no right way to do the wrong thing. I hope that’s not true. Connecticut has to implement a requirement in HR-1, the new federal budget act, that 340,000 adults on Medicaid must work to keep their healthcare coverage. This wasn’t our idea; our policymakers didn’t vote for it. But we…
Read MoreHUSKY and work requirements – How to make it work
The largest cut in the new federal budget bill is Medicaid work requirements. It’s expected that 137,000 Connecticut residents will lose coverage and our state will lose $118 billion over the next ten years. If history repeats, most will lose coverage in error – they will be working or exempt Only two states have implemented…
Read MoreQuality chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated
We’ve updated the Quality chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new numbers and new topics, including hospital and Medicaid quality of care. CT Healthcare Explained is our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic sections, Private Insurance includes a Basics summary and…
Read MorePrivate Insurance chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated
We’ve updated the Private Insurance chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new numbers and new topics, including level-funded plans, Connecticut private insurance prices compared to Medicare, and wide hospital price variation. CT Healthcare Explained is our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17…
Read MoreAnalysis: State agencies need partners to avoid the havoc that’s coming
Lately, I’ve been reminded of both the importance and the difficulty in working with state agencies. But collaboration between state agencies and outside stakeholders who share the same goals has never been more important. Read more
Read MoreAdvocates call on state leaders to fix DSS call center and other problems in response to federal budget bill
Twenty-four consumer groups signed a letter to Governor Lamont and legislative leaders urging them to call a special session to address imminent harms from passage of HR-1 in Washington. While the federal budget bill passed July 4th is expected to cause significant long-term harms to Connecticut, some impacts need to be addressed before the next…
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