Health Reform
Doing nothing is not an option
Go to Saturday’s OP-ED in CT News Junkie to see why the President is right and we can’t settle for a lot of little somethings anymore. Ellen Andrews
Read MoreUS Supreme Court rejects federal pre-emption of state law in VT drug case
In a 6 to 3 vote, the Supreme Court Wednesday held that federal law does not pre-empt the right of patients to sue in state court over a federally regulated medication. The case involved a VT musician who lost her arm after Phenergan, an anti-nausea drug, was administered by “IV push” rather than “IV drip”.…
Read MoreCT insurers push plan for universal health care; Rests on individual mandate
According to today’s Hartford Courant, CT’s insurance industry is promoting a plan to cover everyone in the state. The industry is proposing to create a pool for individuals who can’t get or can’t afford insurance in the market now. They expect state subsidies to make the coverage affordable – there is no mention of the…
Read MoreYoung invincibles myths and coverage on parents’ policies
Today’s NY Times has a great article outlining the struggle of uninsured young adults to get health coverage. They describe the difficulty of living in an expensive city working at low wage jobs that don’t offer benefits. Coping strategies include sharing medications, jury rigging insulin injections, self-diagnosing using on-line sources, and giving up fast food…
Read MoreThe federal stimulus and SCHIP: How much help is there for CT’s health?
A new analysis by the CT Health Policy Project details significant relief for CT’s consumers and our state budget in new federal legislation. CT can expect $1.3 billion in higher Medicaid reimbursements raising our matching rate from 50% to 56.2% until the end of next year, but the money comes with strings. To qualify the…
Read MoreCT insurers push plan for universal health care; Rests on individual mandate
According to today’s Hartford Courant, CT’s insurance industry is promoting a plan to cover everyone in the state. The industry is proposing to create a pool for individuals who can’t get or can’t afford insurance in the market now. They expect state subsidies to make the coverage affordable – there is no mention of the…
Read MoreFebruary health policy web quiz
Test your knowledge of an individual insurance mandate – what it would mean for CT, the challenges, and costs. Take the CT Health Policy Project February health policy web quiz. For more on the individual mandate, go to our policy paper or issue brief.
Read MoreDodd hears from public, policymakers on national health reform
Friday 675 people attended a hearing held by Senator Chris Dodd in East Hartford to learn what CT residents need in President Obama’s health reform plan. Sen. Dodd has been tapped for a leadership role in development of the plan. The Senator heard about the struggle CT families face to hang onto their physical and…
Read MoreChina to spend $124 billion to boost health care system
Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that China, facing economic problems like the US, will invest $124 billion over the next three years to expand insurance coverage, overhaul public hospitals and expand access to care. The goal is to have 90% of China’s 1.3 billion citizens covered by 2011 and have basic health care services available…
Read MoreWhy an individual mandate won’t work in CT
A new paper by the CT Health Policy Project outlines why an individual mandate, a law requiring every state resident to purchase health coverage won’t work. (For the shorter issue brief, click here.) Mandates are no guarantee of compliance; CT requires drivers to have auto insurance but 12% of drivers are uninsured. Unreimbursed care for…
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