uninsured
New uninsured numbers – CT residents more likely to be uninsured than other New Englanders
Between 2004 and 2006, 8.9% of New England residents were uninsured, but 10.7% of CT residents lacked insurance, according to point in time surveys by the National Health Interview Survey. Not surprisingly, low income CT residents (below 200% of the federal poverty level) were 2.4 times less likely to have coverage. 12.2% of CT residents,…
Read MoreHealth First and Primary Care Authority Updates
Last Thursday both Authorities met in separate meetings. The Health First Authority is collecting information on CT’s spending on health care and Medicaid rates. Urban Institute researchers shared info from a 2003 Health Affairs article showing that CT’s Medicaid rates averaged 83% of Medicare, compared to 69% nationally. MA pays 80%, NY 45% and RI…
Read MoreGovernor vetoes pooling bill
Today Governor Rell vetoed HB-5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership. While she applauded the intent of the bill, to reduce health care costs for municipalities, nonprofits and small businesses by pooling them with state employees, she is concerned about potential costs to the state. She also cited legal problems with the bill, doubts…
Read MoreMassachusetts uninsured cut in half
The results are in. Massachusetts’ comprehensive health care reforms passed in 2006 have led the state’s rate of uninsurance to drop by almost half – from 13% in fall 2006 to 7% a year later. 355,000 more adults in Massachusetts now have affordable coverage– more than the entire uninsured population of Connecticut. The reform law,…
Read MoreCT free clinics meeting
About two weeks ago, a group of clinics that offer free care to anyone who needs it met to discuss common challenges and share resources. I was amazed and deeply grateful that we have so many generous spirits in our state. Representatives from First Hispanic Baptist Church (New London), Samaritan Health Center (Danbury), Kevin’s Community…
Read MoreHUSKY/PCCM/Charter Oak update
At Friday’s Medicaid Managed Care Council meeting, DSS described plans to transition 337,181 HUSKY members from the current non-capitated, fee-for-service structure back into potentially three capitated HMOs starting July 1st, to begin Charter Oak enrollment also on July 1st, the planned dental carve out also set to begin July 1st, and their plan to provide…
Read MoreHUSKY, Charter Oak and other session updates
The General Assembly acted on very few health proposals this year. Some things that did pass: HB 5536 — Rep. Donovan’s bill to allow municipalities and small business to buy directly into the state employee plan pool – the Courant says “Rell’s signature is iffy”. Even if she does approve it, the plan may not…
Read MoreCharter Oak update
Last night, the House passed a stripped down version of the Charter Oak fix bill, 5617, leaving only mental health parity. The House version removed critical provisions including dental and vision care, removing limits on prescriptions, medical equipment and lifetime limits on care, independent grievance and accountability options, sustainability provisions, prohibition against contracting with unlicensed…
Read MoreA Haven in the City
An article in the Yale Journal of Public Health describes HAVEN, a Saturday morning free primary care clinic providing care to residents of the Fairhaven neighborhood in New Haven. HAVEN was conceived by and is staffed by students from Yale’s medical, public health, physician assistant and nursing schools and is held at the Fair Haven…
Read MoreDesperate Measures
Yesterday, I was catching up with a friend of mine who lives in Memphis when she told me about the beginning of her week: On Sunday, my friend, Meredith, went to introduce her newborn daughter to some friends who run a gym. She ran in for five minutes and, by the time she returned to…
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