Health Reform
MA health reform saved lives
A new study finds that health reform and expanded coverage in MA saved lives. Comparing MA counties with matched counties in other states, researchers found a drop in mortality, especially from causes amenable to health care (i.e. not due to accidents). A completely illegitimate, back-of-the-envelope, they’ll-take-my-degree-away calculation (is that enough disclaimers?) finds that 351 MA…
Read MoreState Employee health plan update
Today’s meeting of the Health Care Cost Containment Committee was short but interesting. The HCCC, the best kept secret in state government, is a joint labor-management committee under the Comptroller’s Office that makes decisions about the $1.2 billion/year program that covers 208,378 state employees, retirees and dependents. Consultants noted that costs in the program rose…
Read MoreWebinar posted: Measuring quality and value at Crystal Run ACO
Video and slides from yesterday’s webinar with Crystal Run ACO have been posted. There are important lessons for CT policymakers implementing shared savings payment models. Crystal Run was one of the first Medicare shared saving ACOs and is one of seven NCQA certified ACOs. Hear the physician leaders explain how they monitor the quality of…
Read MoreCT sick leave law — many benefit, little or no impact on businesses
Final results from a study confirm that, contrary to predictions, CT’s 2011 paid sick leave law did not cause an undue burden on businesses or the state’s economy. Confirming preliminary results, the study found that the law has brought important relief to tens of thousands of workers, predominantly in health/education/social services, hospitality and retail establishments,…
Read MoreYale Law Student conference on exchanges
Saturday the Yale Health Law & Policy Society held a fascinating conferenceon health insurance exchanges – early challenges and opportunities. Speakers included academics, advocates, state officials and private consultants. Focusing across the US, speakers highlighted the differences between states, and between the federal exchange, state-run exchanges, and the models between those two. Speakers addressed concerns…
Read MoreFascinating interactive infographic on international health care spending gap
It’s not news that the US spends far more per person on health care than other high-income countries (and we get less for that spending, but that’s another blog), but an interactive infographic from the New England Journal of Medicine breaks it down by year and category of spending. Like the best cool graphics, this one…
Read MoreAnnapolis CSG/ERC state visit – lots of opinions on the insurance exchange’s problems, Medicare hospital waiver, and SIM
It’s been a fascinating CSG/ERC state capitol visit in Annapolis over the last two days. In meetings with policymakers I’ve heard a range of opinions and emotions on MD’s insurance exchange – from optimism that eventually it will start working to calls to scrap it and revert to the federal exchange. By all accounts, the…
Read MoreJanuary CT Health Policy Webquiz – how will CT’s uninsured fare under the ACA?
Test your knowledge of how CT’s uninsured will fare under the ACA. Take the January CT Health Policy Webquiz.
Read MoreCSG/ERC annual meeting highlights
This year’s CSG/ERC annual meeting in Puerto Rico this month included several health panels and meetings. The first was an initial report on Value over Volume 2.0, an update on our first report from 2009 on payment reform for state/provincial/territorial policymakers with tools to both improve quality and control costs. An ACA Roundtable generated a…
Read MoreCT Mirror Obamacare Maitre d’ – everything you wanted to know
CT Mirror has created a set of tools to guide the confused through Obamacare’s maze. Obamacare Maitre d’ steps you through the basics, simple questions about CT’s health insurance exchange, and the Medicaid/HUSKY program. Helpful articles include Obama and you – an explainer, What you need to know (overview) – and resources, and 6 things…
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