Posts by Ellen Andrews
Oregon holds lottery – not for millions, but for health care coverage
From the Case Center for Reducing Health Disparities blog, for the first time in four years, there are openings in the Oregon Health Plan Standard. The state program covers the basics including medical services, medications, and limited dental and vision services. OHP Standard is offered at little or no cost to very low income residents…
Read MoreHealthcare Partnership public hearing
HB-5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership is being heard in the Labor Committee as I am writing. The idea, being championed by House Majority Leader Chris Donovan, is to allow municipalities, small businesses and non-profit organizations to purchase health benefits through the state employee pool. The hope is that municipalities and others will…
Read MoreCT Health Notes highlights
Some highlights from the latest issue of CT Health Notes — the CT Health Policy Project’s e-newsletter: Access to kidney disease treatment and transplants varies by race and insurance status Hispanics’ and African-Americans’ health insurance less secure Privately insured Americans get earlier cancer diagnoses Geographic variation in health care spending Click here for more on…
Read MoreHealth First Authority update and callers to the helpline
Yesterday, I was in a meeting of the Cost, Cost Containment, and Finance sub-group of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority. The conversation focused on cost containment strategies in three different contexts. In some cases, wellness programs were credited with playing a role – albeit a vague role – in reducing costs. These are the programs sometimes…
Read MoreNew Haven Teen Pregnancy Council makes recommendations
New Haven has formed a new council to address the city’s teen pregnancy rate which is twice the state average. According to the New Haven Register, in 2005 almost one in four 19-year old city residents had at least one child. While the rate is dropping, the rate for Latinos is still rising. The Council…
Read MoreMarch CT Health Web Quiz
Test your knowledge of the nursing shortage – take the March CT Health Policy Quiz
Read MoreAdministration opposition to HB-5617, Charter Oak fix bill
Testimony from Governor Rell, DSS Commissioner Starkowski, OHCA Commissioner Vogel, OPM Secretary Genuario, and DPH Commissioner Galvin in the Human Services Committee’s public hearing Tuesday strongly opposed any changes to their plans for Charter Oak. Attorney General Blumenthal, State Health Care Advocate Lembo and fourteen consumers and advocates, including this one, testified in favor of…
Read MorePrimary Care Access Authority Update
Adequate behavioral health services are vital to ensuring that Connecticut’s primary care infrastructure will work well for all our residents. This was the focus of yesterday’s Primary Care Access Authority meeting in Hartford. The session outlined some of the behavioral health services currently available in our state and showed the impact of healthcare staffing recruitment…
Read MoreCharter Oak/HUSKY update and notes from the bidder’s conference
DSS has posted an advocacy-style fact sheet about Charter Oak and opposing HB-5617 which would delay implementation to allow more thoughtful planning. HB-5617 will be heard in the Human Services Committee later this morning. The flyer includes several positive quotes about Charter Oak from letters and emails to the Governor’s office. But it leaves out…
Read MorePCCM Update
At yesterday’s Appropriations’ Human Services Subcommittee meeting, DSS reported on progress toward implementing a pilot Primary Care Case Management program for HUSKY. DSS has been busy researching other states’ PCCM programs, including a January trip to MA to hear from several states’ about best practices and collecting PCCM provider contracts. DSS generously invited this advocate…
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