Posts by Ellen Andrews
Connecticut Medicaid costs stable but rising physician and clinic spending threaten progress
Download the report Since switching from managed care organizations in 2012 to focus on care management, Connecticut Medicaid spending has stabilized while enrollment has expanded significantly, according to the state’s latest financial report. Medicaid now covers one in four state residents. However, physician and clinic spending increases are eroding early progress in controlling costs. Medicaid…
Read MoreCTNJ: Analysis — Control Prices to Lower Health Insurance Premiums
Connecticut health insurance premiums are the sixth highest in the U.S. While our costs are rising less quickly than other states, that’s cold comfort to Connecticut’s households and employers. This isn’t a new problem and it has not been ignored. The simple fixes haven’t been enough. Read more
Read MoreUnjustified price increases for seven drugs in 2019 cost US healthcare $1.2 billion, CT can remedy this
According to a report released today, in 2019 the US health system spent an extra $1.2 billion on price increases for seven drugs that were not supported by clinical evidence. Enbrel led this year’s list costing Americans $403 million extra for an 8.9% net price increase, after accounting for rebates. The Unsupported Price Increase report…
Read MoreMore physicians joining large health systems across CT
From 2016 to 2018, the number of Connecticut physicians affiliated with large health systems grew in every area of the state, according to a new analysis in Health Affairs. Nationally the percent of physicians in large health systems rose by 11%, and the rate grew in 92% of US metro areas. Growth was fastest in…
Read MoreCT got fewer vaccines than other states, but did far better at getting people vaccinated
Download the report here Policymakers and experts have expressed disappointment at the slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. While the vaccines were developed and manufactured at record speeds, getting Americans vaccinated has been slower than expected. The Secretary of Human Services expected to have 20 million Americans vaccinated by the end of 2020. But as…
Read MoreTop Stories of 2020
A year ago, our predictions for 2020 missed all but the recession. COVID has us giving up on predictions, so we’ll just take a look back at our top stories of this year. Advocacy Toolbox now online — Updates include specific, real world tools for legislative, administrative, and state budget advocacy, how to change public…
Read MoreTo make health premiums affordable, CT must address input costs
Download the report here Health benefits in Connecticut are costly and rising faster than inflation. Last year, total employer-sponsored health insurance premiums in Connecticut were the sixth highest among states for both single and family coverage. Connecticut workers paid 7.8% more for single coverage and 4.3% more for family plans than other Americans. Although Connecticut…
Read MoreCT housing and economic development training institute now accepting applications
Housing and health are intimately linked. Housing that is unstable, unsafe, poor quality, and a financial burden all affects the health of residents and communities. As these challenges grow, Connecticut’s housing and economic development workforce is predominantly male, white, and growing older. Professionals in the field are retiring at a faster rate than new entries…
Read MoreCTNJ OP-ED | New Health Plan for State Employees Needs Transparency
The State Comptroller’s Office is undertaking payment reform for the very costly state employee health plan without public accountability or transparency. The controversial plan to pay for health care in bundles and reward high quality providers for the plan’s 250,000 members could be a gamechanger, but it could also fail. The problem is that we…
Read MoreHelp us build a CT health policy learning hub
Healthcare is critical to Connecticut’s wellbeing but navigating health policy is complicated and confusing. The Connecticut Health Policy Project is considering a new project for 2021 to foster understanding about health policy in our state. We plan to build on this year’s Advocacy Toolbox but widen to anyone who wants a better understanding of how…
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