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CTNJ candidate questionnaire now online
Candidates’ answers to CT News Junkie’s questionnaire about policy issues facing Connecticut is now online. Several questions relate to healthcare. Inform your vote by checking out your candidates’ answers. Health questions for candidates: What should Connecticut do to re-tool our public health for COVID-19 and the possibility of future pandemics, while also addressing other chronic…
Read MoreMedian income CT residents squeezed between rising insurance premiums and inadequate subsidies
A new CMS analysis finds that between 2015 and 2019, US insurance premiums rose while enrollment in insurance exchanges went down. The report found that 85% of the drop in enrollment was in unsubsidized coverage. People with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level ($51,040 for an individual, $86,880 for a family of three)…
Read MoreSign up for daily tips on the Art and Craft of Advocacy
You want to make a difference, but advocacy can be confusing, frustrating, and time-consuming. We can help. Sign up for Today’s Advocacy Tool – a month of inspiration, tips, and practical tools. Every weekday in November, we’ll send an email with insight, best practices, and lessons we’ve learned from the updated Health Advocacy Toolbox. You’ll…
Read MoreUS safe injection sites could save lives and save cities up to $4.35 million each year
Allowing safe sites for injecting opioids in the US would save lives and lower healthcare spending significantly for affected communities, according to ICER’s latest draft evidence report. In 2018, opioid overdoses killed 948 Connecticut residents and there are signals that the rate has risen during the pandemic. Supervised injection facilities (SFIs) are part of a…
Read MoreCT ranks 5th among states in providing Long Term Services and Supports
Connecticut is improving Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with physical disabilities, and their caregivers rising to fifth in performance among states, according to the latest State Scorecard. This is up from 10th, 12th, and 11th in previous reports from 2017, 2014, and 2011. Most states did not move much between report…
Read MoreUpdated Advocacy Toolbox: How to make a difference, where to start, and how to get there
Healthcare policymaking in CT can be complex and frustrating. But you’re not alone and there is help. With generous support from the Connecticut Health Foundation, we’ve updated our Health Advocacy Toolbox. The comprehensive site covers legislative, administrative, and state budget advocacy, how to change public opinion, finding and working in coalitions, effective communications, and how…
Read MoreHalf of Americans concerned about bankruptcy from a health event
A new Gallup poll from July finds that 50% of Americans were concerned that a health event in their household will result in bankruptcy. That is up from 45% last year. Concern is far higher among non-white than white adults (64% vs. 43%). One in seven American households (15%) has medical debt that they will…
Read MoreCost cap committee excludes patients’ provider choices from primary care spending increase
On Thursday, the main committee convened by the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) met to continue their work to set a cap on how much healthcare costs can increase and, at the same time, double spending on primary care. At the meeting they codified a narrow definition of primary care provider for purposes of calculating…
Read MoreOne in three CT residents is anxious and/or depressed
The good news is that the rate of Connecticut residents reporting symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder is down some since the end of April, according to a new CDC survey. The bad news is that it’s three times higher than this time last year. The week of April 23rd, when Connecticut was deep into…
Read MoreCost Cap committee considers who qualifies for increased primary care spending
In response to stakeholder feedback that the prior Cost Cap levels were unrealistic and risk unintended harm to patients, at their last meeting the Office of Health Strategy’s Cost Cap committee slightly softened the cap levels. The committee continued their discussion of which providers qualify as primary care providers. OHS wants to significantly increase the…
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