Posts by Ellen Andrews
Photography exhibit highlighting racial and ethnic disparities
Friday afternoon 2pm at New Haven City Hall there will be a reception to feature an exhibit of photographs taken by ten African American women highlighting issues that make it difficult to live healthy lifestyles to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities. Senator Toni Harp, our Board President, joined the project as a photographer-for-a-day. The exhibit…
Read MoreGovernor’s deficit mitigation plan includes cuts to medical interpreters
Today the Governor announced her plan to address CT’s looming $268 million state budget deficit. Her plan cuts $1.175 million in previously approved funding for medical interpretation services in the Medicaid program. The CT Health Foundation reports that 22,000 people with limited English proficiency were enrolled in CT’s Medicaid program in 2003 and that communication…
Read MoreWindham PCCM forum cancelled
The provider forum on PCCM planned for October 22nd at Windham Hospital has been cancelled.To learn more about the program, come to either the October 21st forum in New Haven (at our offices at 703 Whitney Avenue in New Haven) or the October 23rd forum in Hartford (at DSS’ offices, 25 Sigourney Street in Hartford).…
Read MoreHUSKY/Charter Oak update
At today’s Medicaid Managed Care Council, the HUSKY HMOs’ provider panel reports showed that progress continues to be very slow. Sen. Harris pointed out that at this pace, the two new HMOs will take over a year to reach capacity similar to CHN’s panels. In the counties already transitioning to the HMOs, 94% of HUSKY…
Read MorePCCM provider forums scheduled
DSS has scheduled three forums for providers to learn more about PCCM. They are all at 6:30 pm. October 21 CT Health Policy Project offices in the Red Cross Building, 703 Whitney Avenue, New Haven *CANCELLED* October 22 Windham Hospital, 112 Mansfield Avenue, Willimantic October 23 DSS offices, 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford Applications and the…
Read MoreReport: CT family premiums rising 8.2X faster than earnings
A new report by Families USA finds that from 2000 to 2007, family health insurance premiums in CT rose from $7,292 to $13,173 (80.7%) while CT family median earnings rose only 9.9%. Employees’ share of premiums rose even more – 10.5 times faster than earnings. Individual coverage grew by 52.8% during those years, and employees’…
Read MoreDSS asks CMS for a HUSKY delay
The administration has asked the federal government for a four month delay for moving HUSKY families into the new HMOs. DSS and the two new HMOs, AmeriChoice (United Health Care) and Aetna Better Health, have been criticized for having inadequate provider networks and for not devoting enough time to building those networks. The third HMO…
Read MoreDrug company Cephalon will pay CT $6 million fine
CT’s Attorney General announced yesterday that Cephalon, Inc. will pay $425 million nationally and $6.13 million to CT for illegally marketing three drugs causing serious complications in some patients including seizures, respiratory depression, addiction and death. The off-label marketing of the drugs for uses not approved by the FDA caused sales of the drugs to…
Read MoreCritical Condition documentary showing tomorrow night
PBS’ POV series tomorrow night at 9pm will be, Critical Condition, describeing the barriers to accessing care for America’s uninsured. A streaming version of the film will be online until Nov. 11th. Directly following at 10:30 pm will be RX for Change, a MacNeil/Lehrer Special, a discussion of Americans’ top health insurance concerns. June 5th…
Read MoreLegislature and Comptroller announce audit of DSS
Legislative leaders and Comptroller Nancy Wyman announced today that the Comptroller’s office will conduct an audit of DSS to eliminate waste and over-budgeting. Specific concerns include difficulties tracking expenses, over $100 million in DSS carry-forward requests, turmoil in the HUSKY program, start up costs of the Charter Oak Health Plan, and funds appropriated for programs…
Read More