Posts by Ellen Andrews
CTNJ Op-Ed: McDonald’s rejects chicken fed antibiotics
An Op-Ed today in CT News Junkie celebrates McDonald’s for refusing to sell food from chickens fed antibiotics. 23,000 Americans die each year from antibiotic-resistant superbug infections. Over use and inappropriate use of antibiotics has led many bacteria to become resistant (superbugs), rendering critical antibiotics useless. Experts are concerned that development of new antibiotics is…
Read MoreCutting HUSKY parents increases the total cost of care by $500 per person
The Governor’s budget proposal to cut 34,000 working parents from the HUSKY program into AccessHealthCT will increase the total cost of care for those parents by $500/year according to a new analysis by the CT Health Foundation. While the state will save $2,400 per person annually, two thirds of the cost shift will fall on…
Read MoreCT exchange premiums still fourth highest in US, negotiating premiums could help
A new analysis by the Urban Institute comparing health insurance exchange premiums across the US finds that CT’s 2015 premiums are the fourth highest in the US, as they were last year. The study compares average monthly premiums for 40-year old, non-smoking state residents — $348 in CT. Like last year, our premiums are higher…
Read MoreFree dental clinic next weekend
The annual CT Mission of Mercy annual free dental clinic will be this Friday and Saturday at Western CT State University in Danbury. The clinic provides cleanings, fluoride treatments, extractions, fillings, limited dentures and root canals and X rays to people who can’t afford dental care. Interpreters are available. The CT Foundation for Dental Outreach…
Read MoreHealth reform update – the power of price transparency, more SIM concerns
At an important Public Health Committee hearing Wednesday, Senate leaders from both parties testified together on a slate of seven bills that would make a great start to reforming health care in our state. Among other things the bills address facility fees, price variation that has no relation to quality, hospital consolidation oversight, EMR assistance…
Read MoreMore good Medicaid news
At today’s Medicaid Council meeting we heard about the impressive new resources and supports for members and providers in the Medicaid and dental programs. New members receive a user-friendly welcome packet and a health needs assessment to connect them to the resources they need. The new HUSKY website is mobile-ready and impressive with comprehensive information…
Read MoreCT 2015 insurance exchange enrollment – the numbers are in
Two thirds of CT residents who secured coverage through AccessHealthCT’s portal this year were eligible for Medicaid, according to the latest federal enrollment report. Another 29% were eligible for financial assistance to buy coverage from a private insurer, and just under 6% bought coverage without subsidies. Of the 109,839 people who selected health plans on…
Read MoreStudents try to testify
A CT Mirror Op-Ed describes the challenges facing CSCU students who tried to testify at the Appropriations Committee hearing on the Governor’s budget. Insiders forget how unfriendly the process is, even for organized students supported by their professors. Hopefully they don’t give up.
Read MoreSIM bill hearing in Public Health next Wednesday
HB- 6938, AAC the Delivery of Quality Health Care and Modernization of Health Care Facilities, will have a public hearing next Wednesday March 11th at 10:30 at the LOB in Room 1D. SIM is planning to radically transform health care for every state resident, including moving 200,000 Medicaid members back into a financial risk model…
Read MoreMarch web quiz on CT employer coverage
Test your knowledge of employer coverage trends in CT. Take the March CT Health Policy Webquiz.
Read More