disabilities
Advocates call on state leaders to fix DSS call center and other problems in response to federal budget bill
Twenty-four consumer groups signed a letter to Governor Lamont and legislative leaders urging them to call a special session to address imminent harms from passage of HR-1 in Washington. While the federal budget bill passed July 4th is expected to cause significant long-term harms to Connecticut, some impacts need to be addressed before the next…
Read MoreMedicare chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated
We’ve made another massive update to CT Healthcare Explained – this time to the Medicare chapter. The update was prompted by new numbers and new research, especially about Medicare Advantage plans. We also included the changes to the program required by the budget bill passed by Congress and the Trump administration this month. CT Healthcare…
Read MoreMedicaid chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated
We’ve made a massive update to the Medicaid chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new numbers and updated performance. We also included the significant changes to the program required by the budget bill passed by Congress and the Trump administration this month. We also included a description of Connecticut’s decision not…
Read MoreThree years after 988 mental health line launch, impact is mixed
Studies considering the impact of national 988 system finds significant variation between states, but access to emergency services after the call is deficient nationwide. The 988 phone system for mental health crises launched nationwide in July 2022, providing a single easily-remembered number for mental health crises anywhere in the country. Call rates increased significantly after…
Read MoreAnalysis: If it passes, Congressional bill would make 140,000 more people uninsured in Connecticut
If the current US House budget proposal passes into law, experts estimate that 140,000 more Connecticut residents will lose health coverage. They will join the 195,000 currently uninsured state residents and Connecticut’s uninsured numbers will rise to the highest level in twenty years. Losing coverage is not good for the uninsured, both their physical and…
Read MoreNutrition initiative could save $908 million per year in CT healthcare spending – Potential Medicaid LTC spending relief option
Medically tailored meals (MTMs) could save Connecticut $6,299 net per year per person, by far the highest savings among states, according to a new study published in Health Affairs. This research offers an important option to address Connecticut Medicaid long-term care costs that not only saves money, but also improves health. MTMs are nutritious, prepared…
Read MoreJust a sample of Trump healthcare news
I’ve been avoiding writing about the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on healthcare. It’s overwhelming and it changes daily. But waiting for it to settle out isn’t working. It’s time to dig in. Reporters, in Connecticut and nationally, are doing an exceptional job of documenting this as it happens. Here are a small sample…
Read MoreReform section updated in CT Healthcare Explained
We’ve updated the Reform chapter of CT Healthcare Explained, our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic sections, Reform includes a Basics summary and a much longer Deeper Dive into the issue. In the left hand box, you can skip to your specific question. There is…
Read MoreHUSKY still very efficient but drugs are driving up costs
Read the full report Like other states, Connecticut Medicaid per member costs are beginning to increase after dropping during COVID. However, Connecticut’s rate trend remains better than other states. Since switching from managed care organizations in 2012 to focus on care management, Connecticut Medicaid spending stabilized while enrollment expanded significantly, according to the state’s latest…
Read MoreWandering around in OHS’s databases – lots to learn and a surprise
Our state Office of Health Strategy has several impressive portals and dashboards to explore their trove of data and other information. They include healthcare affordability, ED visits, quality ratings, facility plans, self-sufficiency tools, hospital finances, prescription drug costs, and Race, ethnicity and language data. Visitors can sort the data by service, payer, age, gender, and…
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