Posts by Ellen Andrews
CT healthcare costs grew faster than ever in 2023, but Medicaid bucked the trend
Download the analysis updated 7/22/2025 This month, the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) released their three annual Healthcare Benchmark reports. The main event, the Cost Growth Benchmark report finds that healthcare costs rose by 7.8% in 2023, well above the 2.9% benchmark set by an old OHS committee based on economic indicators. This is the…
Read MoreNutrition initiative could save $908 million per year in CT healthcare spending – Potential Medicaid LTC spending relief option
Medically tailored meals (MTMs) could save Connecticut $6,299 net per year per person, by far the highest savings among states, according to a new study published in Health Affairs. This research offers an important option to address Connecticut Medicaid long-term care costs that not only saves money, but also improves health. MTMs are nutritious, prepared…
Read MoreJust a sample of Trump healthcare news
I’ve been avoiding writing about the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on healthcare. It’s overwhelming and it changes daily. But waiting for it to settle out isn’t working. It’s time to dig in. Reporters, in Connecticut and nationally, are doing an exceptional job of documenting this as it happens. Here are a small sample…
Read MoreReform section updated in CT Healthcare Explained
We’ve updated the Reform chapter of CT Healthcare Explained, our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic sections, Reform includes a Basics summary and a much longer Deeper Dive into the issue. In the left hand box, you can skip to your specific question. There is…
Read MoreCTNJ Analysis: It’s Time To End HUSKY’s ‘Value-Based’ Medicaid Program
Connecticut’s Person-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Plus program has been troubled from its start in 2017, and it’s time to go in a new direction. Read more
Read MoreHUSKY still very efficient but drugs are driving up costs
Read the full report Like other states, Connecticut Medicaid per member costs are beginning to increase after dropping during COVID. However, Connecticut’s rate trend remains better than other states. Since switching from managed care organizations in 2012 to focus on care management, Connecticut Medicaid spending stabilized while enrollment expanded significantly, according to the state’s latest…
Read MoreSurvey finds mental health needs among LGBTQ+ young people in Connecticut
One in four (26%) LGBTQ+ young people in Connecticut considered suicide in the last year and 6% attempted it, according to a survey from The Trevor Project. The organization is dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. They surveyed LGBTQ+ young people in each state. One in seven LGBTQ+ young people in Connecticut report…
Read MoreEquity section updated in CT Healthcare Explained
We’ve updated the Health Equity section of CT Healthcare Explained, our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic sections, Equity includes a Basics summary and a much longer Deeper Dive into the issue. In the left hand box, you can skip to your specific question. There…
Read MoreDSS’s comprehensive HUSKY report finds a very strong program, with plans to improve
In response to 2023 legislation, on Tuesday DSS provided a 72-page comprehensive description and analysis of Connecticut’s Medicaid program to MAPOC, the program’s oversight council. The report also includes DSS’s strategy to improve the program and members’ health. The report finds that the program’s performance is very strong. “Overall, the Medicaid program achieves good quality…
Read MoreAnalysis: Trump order jeopardizes cost effective, life-changing cure for sickle cell
We are lucky to live in a time when creative scientists are developing life-changing new cures for debilitating genetic diseases. These breakthrough treatments are as important as penicillin or insulin were in their time. Unfortunately, they are also very expensive. To help pay for them, federal Medicaid officials created an opportunity to help states afford…
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