Risk to CT hospitals from Medicaid cuts varies significantly

The federal budget bill, HR-1, will cause significant cuts across Connecticut’s healthcare landscape. Much of the cuts will fall on hospitals, but the burden will not be shared equally. A new analysis by Third Way estimates that statewide, Connecticut hospitals will lose $378 million annually over the next ten years due to federal Medicaid cuts.…

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CTNJ: CT needs to prepare for impending surge in uninsured care

Next year, we may look back fondly on the uninsured numbers released Tuesday estimating 26.7 million Americans were uninsured last year. Like the rest of the US, Connecticut’s uninsured rate fell significantly a decade ag, making it old news. Other healthcare issues have taken over the spotlight. But federal budget cuts will soon put the…

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Book Club — Pre-Existing Conditions: How Lobbying Makes American Health Care More Expensive

If you’re still looking for a summer read, Pre-Existing Conditions, by Alex Garlick, is a good choice. This is the first deep dive I’ve found into the impact of state-based lobbying on healthcare costs. Most descriptions of healthcare policy, including the influence of lobbying, only looks at the federal level. Most important health policy happens…

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VT rejects troubling federal AHEAD changes, CT still considering it

Vermont, one of the first two states scheduled to implement the federal AHEAD model has withdrawn from the program. State officials stated, “Vermont originally pursued the model when it was launched in 2023 as an opportunity to strengthen our health care systems. However, new policy and operational guidance to bring Vermont in alignment with other…

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Healthcare Workforce chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated

We’ve updated the Healthcare Workforce chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new numbers, workplace violence, and evidence-based solutions to build a healthy workforce. CT Healthcare Explained is our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic sections, the Healthcare Workforce chapter includes a…

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Analysis: Questions missing in the Lamont-Elliot debate

In Wednesday’s debate, the only one we’ll get, between Connecticut’s Democratic candidates for Governor, there were no questions about healthcare. None. Affordability is a top priority for voters, and the staggering cost of healthcare is a big part of their anxiety. These are some questions I would’ve asked, and I’ll even give the candidates my…

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CT joins 24 other states suing CMS over Medicaid work requirements

Twenty five states, including Connecticut, and the District of Columbia, have filed a lawsuit againstagainst the federal Medicaid administration (CMS) for going beyond the language of the law (HR-1) that imposed work requirements on 300,000 HUSKY Part D members. Medicaid provides healthcare coverage to Connecticut’s most fragile residents, easing both health and economic frailty. That’s…

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Seven CT hospitals warned about price transparency

Over 500 US hospitals, including seven in Connecticut, received warnings regarding compliance with 2019 price transparency requirements, according to the Associated Press. The requirements were designed to make care more affordable. The President is reportedly planning to ramp up enforcement of the federal transparency rule and more hospitals may receive warnings. Since 2019, many hospitals…

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Hospital chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated

We’ve updated the Hospitals chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new numbers and new topics, including potential impact of federal Medicaid cuts, payment rates, Medicaid rates, and private equity . CT Healthcare Explained is our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system. Like the other 17 topic…

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CT hospital ED wait times are 4th highest among states, Patient “boarding” to blame

At 191 minutes, the average (median) wait time at Connecticut’s hospital emergency departments (EDs) was tied with New York for 4th worst among states. Maryland was the highest at 247 minutes. The data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) covers April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025. According to CT Public…

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