National gridlock on health reform misses the point

A new report by Families USA estimates that 2,100 residents of Connecticut have died because they were uninsured since the last time Congress considered health reform but did not act. The report predicts that without reform another 1,700 will die by 2019. The report used methodology from an Institute of Medicine study with updated numbers.…

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Pressure is building to improve health insurance premium regulation

Calls are increasing from advocates, legislators and public officials to better regulate health insurance rates in CT. A bill being heard today in the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, SB-194 An Act Concerning Rate Approvals for Individual Health Insurance Policies, would tighten the CT Insurance Dept. procedure for approving insurers’ proposed rate hikes. A recent…

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CT a leader in children’s oral health

Some good news for a change – CT is recognized as a national leader in getting dental care to children in a new report by the Pew Center for the States. The proportion of children on Medicaid receiving dental care has been rising since 2005 up to 41.4%. It’s true that is low, well below…

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Why is getting healthy so hard? Find out April 21st

The Donaghue Foundation’s annual meeting will focus on behavioral and cultural perspectives on taking responsibility for our health. The meeting will be Wednesday, April 21st from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Hartford Marriott Farmington. Registration is free. For more information click here.

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What if news was run like health care?

Building on the idea of running an airline the way we run the US health care system, yesterday’s NY Times column by Nicholas Kritof, I Cost More But I’m a Specialist, envisions news delivery like health care delivery. Very funny.

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CT state retiree health and benefit system underfunded by $26 billion

A new report by the Pew Center on the States finds that while all but four states have underfunded retiree benefits, CT is among the worst. We are one of eight states with over one third of our liability unfunded. In 2008 CT’s pension liabilities totaled $41.3 billion, but we had only $25.45 billion in…

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Webinar on DPH health care workforce programs, addition to medical home webinar

Thursday, Feb. 25th at 3pm, speakers from DPH will join the SustiNet Health Care Workforce Task Force on a webinar to describe their health care workforce programs. Kristin Sullivan will discuss the public health workforce, Jennifer Filippone will describe J-1 Visas and online licensure, and Johanna David will present on the National Health Service Corp.…

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Tolland is healthiest CT county, Windham least healthy

A new study ranking US counties based on health finds Tolland county is CT’s healthiest for outcomes and Middlesex for health factors. Windham is the least healthy for both outcomes and health factors. Outcomes measured include premature death, fair or poor health status, and low birthweight. Health factors include smoking, uninsurance and liquor store density.…

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Free Dental Clinic March 12 and 13

The CT State Dental Association will be sponsoring a Mission of Mercy free dental clinic again this year on March 12th and 13th at the Aetna Building on Industrial Park Rd. in Middletown. The clinic will start at 8am each day. There are no eligibility or income requirements; both children and adults are welcome. Patients…

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Another webinar

Wednesday, February 24 at noon the SustiNet Patient Centered Medical Home Committee will hear from Lee Partridge of the National Partnership for Women and Families. Lee is a national consumer advocate and expert on patient-centered medical homes. To register for the webinar, go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/524374993For more on the Partnership’s medical home project, click here. For…

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