health disparities
CT housing and economic development training institute now accepting applications
Housing and health are intimately linked. Housing that is unstable, unsafe, poor quality, and a financial burden all affects the health of residents and communities. As these challenges grow, Connecticut’s housing and economic development workforce is predominantly male, white, and growing older. Professionals in the field are retiring at a faster rate than new entries…
Read MoreHelp us build a CT health policy learning hub
Healthcare is critical to Connecticut’s wellbeing but navigating health policy is complicated and confusing. The Connecticut Health Policy Project is considering a new project for 2021 to foster understanding about health policy in our state. We plan to build on this year’s Advocacy Toolbox but widen to anyone who wants a better understanding of how…
Read MoreState seeking public input on 2025 health improvement plan, they are really listening
After months of the Dept. of Public Health has finalized their draft plan to set goals and strategies to improve the health of all Connecticut residents by 2025. The ambitious, detailed plan focuses on access to healthcare, economic stability, healthy food and housing, and community strength and resilience. Metrics include suicide rates, obesity, overdose deaths,…
Read MoreCost Cap underservice monitoring plan is very weak, puts people at risk
Download the report This week, the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) unveiled their plan to monitor for unintended consequences of their plan to cap healthcare cost increases. OHS acknowledged in the plan that the Cap “may cause providers to reduce provision of necessary healthcare services so as not to exceed the benchmark.” Only a very…
Read MoreCT suicide prevention planning to save lives
Like the rest of the nation, deaths by suicide were rising in Connecticut even before the pandemic, according to the State of Connecticut Suicide Prevention Plan for 2020 – 2025. One in three Connecticut residents have reported signs of depressive and/or anxiety disorder during the pandemic. The newly released plan offers data-driven recommendations to prevent…
Read MorePublic comments critical of OHS’s Cost Cap plan
Several comments submitted on the Office of Health Strategy’s plan to cap healthcare costs during the public comment period raised serious concerns. The concerns echo those raised in previous unanswered letters signed by dozens of advocates. Comments were submitted by CT legal services programs, Gaye Hyre on behalf of the advocate letter writers, and one…
Read MoreYNHH and New Haven clinics open primary care center, despite transportation barriers and higher costs for patients and the state
On Monday, Yale New-Haven Health System with the Fairhaven and Cornell Scott Hill health centers announced the opening of their merged primary care clinic on Long Wharf. YNHH is closing their three neighborhood primary care clinics and moving healthcare for over 25,000 low income patients to the remote site. Community members find the transportation plans…
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 MoreOHS committee considers how to sell the Cost Cap to stakeholders
Last week’s meeting of the Office of Healthcare Strategy’s Cost Cap committee, as they are wrapping up the project design, ended with discussion of how to ensure their project is successful in controlling healthcare costs. Despite developing the Cap during a pandemic, there has been considerable resistance and mistrust of the concept and the process.…
Read MoreCT Mirror: The state should lower healthcare costs without risking our health
Opinion from Kathy Flaherty: As Executive Director of the CT Legal Rights Project, an advocate for people with disabilities, and someone who identifies as disabled, I take issue with “Flaws in CT’s healthcare system must be identified to be corrected” describing the Office of Health Strategy’s (OHS) plan to limit healthcare cost increases. . .…
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