Archive for September 2010
HealthJusticeCT launches website
Health Justice CT, a new social networking project to address racial and ethnic health disparities in CT, has launched a website, www.healthjusticect.org. It is interactive, gathering news, research, events, and online conversations. The resources section is particularly helpful. Health Justice CT is funded by the CT Health Foundation. Check back often to learn more.
Read MoreCT residents need to eat more fruits and veggies, but we are doing better than most states
The good news is that CT residents eat more fruits and vegetables than most Americans, according to today’s MMWR. The bad news is that our consumption of fruits dropped each year from 2000 to 2009; vegetable consumption was somewhat steady. Last year, 37.6% of us ate fruit two or more times a day and 28.5%…
Read MoreTwo job openings
The health policy sector of the economy is doing its part to reduce unemployment. The Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition is seeking a Director of Public Policy and eHealthConnecticut is seeking a CEO. The new CEO of eHealthCT will lead the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable, secure, private health information exchange in our state.…
Read MoreConversion to risk corridors in HUSKY seems less likely
As reported by Christine Stuart at CT News Junkie, in a meeting yesterday the Executive Committee of the Medicaid Managed Care Council considered HUSKY financing options outlined by DSS at the last Council meeting. The budget passed earlier this year includes $76 million in savings to move HUSKY from the current capitated system to a…
Read MoreWill Charter Oak survive?
An interesting story by Arielle Levin Becker at the CT Mirror asks whether Charter Oak will survive after Governor Rell leaves office. The best thing about Charter Oak is that people with pre-existing conditions are not excluded from coverage; under national health reform, that exclusion will be prohibited in all health insurance in 2014. It…
Read MoreWin Win — state cigarette tax increased revenue and reduced smoking
The $1/pack tax increase in cigarette taxes implemented last October brought in over $100 million while seven million fewer packs of cigarettes were sold, according to the Hartford Courant. It was expected that increasing taxes would both increase revenue and reduce cigarettes sold, but this increase brought in $5 million more than projected. The increase…
Read MoreAlmost half of Americans use a prescription medication each month
Forty eight percent of Americans reported that they had taken a prescription medication in the last month, according to new numbers from the CDC for 2007-2008. That number is up from 44% in the last ten years. Not only are more of us taking medications, but we are taking more drugs. The percentage of Americans…
Read MoreForty seven CT employers qualify for early retiree reinsurance program
Nationally less than one in three large firms offer health benefits to retirees. Premiums and deductibles for early retirees can be four times as much as for younger workers. National health reform included $5 billion for a temporary reinsurance program to help subsidize employer-sponsored retiree coverage for early retirees over age 55 but not yet…
Read MoreSeptember webquiz — CT teens and risky behavior
Test your knowledge of CT teens and risky behavior. Take the September CT Health Policy Webquiz.
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