Legislative Dems newest budget rejects most of Governor’s newest cuts

In the latest budget proposal for the next two years, Democrats in legislative leadership have rejected many of the Governor’s most recent cuts. The newest legislative proposal rejects the Governor’s plan to cut another 8,700 working parents off HUSKY. Because of cuts passed last year, 17, 688 working parents will lose coverage as of July…

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Forum on skyrocketing drugs costs and what can be done

May 17th the CT State Medical Society and the Office of State Comptroller are sponsoring CT Pharmaceutical Forum: Access, Affordability and Better Health. The forum will explore value and outcome-based purchasing programs to improve access to affordable prescription drugs. The forum will be in Room E2 of the Legislative Office Building from 9 am to…

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Update – Palliative Care Webinar time change

Due to an unavoidable conflict, the time for the webinar: The Potential of Palliative Care for People with Serious Illness by the MAPOC Complex Care Committee will be an hour later than originally scheduled. The webinar will still be on May 9th but will be at 10:30 am. All registered participants should have received an…

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Connecticut most costly for nursing home care, above US average for all LTSS costs

A new survey of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) costs by Lincoln Financial finds that Connecticut was among the costliest states in the nation last year. Connecticut ranked highest for nursing home care (both private and semi-private rooms) and in the top five for assisted living arrangements. Home health care was slightly less costly,…

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Webinar: The Potential of Palliative Care for People with Serious Illness

Palliative care offers great potential to improve and extend the lives of people with serious illness, allowing them to get care at home if they wish, while controlling costs. In addition to her considerable expertise and knowledge, Dr. Diane Meier is an enthusiastic advocate for palliative care. She directs the Center to Advance Palliative Care…

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Private employer costs higher in New England, but health costs are less of the total

 According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, New England employers paid the highest total compensation per worker in December 2015 averaging $38.14/hour, well above the US average of $31.70. Health insurance and other benefit costs were also high in New England but not as a percent of total compensation. At $2.93/hour health insurance was…

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Connecticut’s Medicaid redesign update– Pros and Cons

  Connecticut’s Medicaid program has earned national recognition for combining improved access to high quality care with an impressive record of cost control. Shifting the program from a financial risk payment model to care coordination through person-centered medical homes (PCMHs) four years ago is widely credited with that success. Last year the administration began developing…

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Webinar: The Potential of Palliative Care for People with Serious Illness

Palliative care offers great potential to improve and extend the lives of people with serious illness, allowing them to get care at home if they wish, while controlling costs. In addition to her considerable expertise and knowledge, Dr. Diane Meier is an enthusiastic advocate for palliative care. She directs the Center to Advance Palliative Care…

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Health Care Cabinet considers Oregon and Maryland’s reforms

At this month’s Health Care Cabinet meeting, we heard about health reforms in Oregon and Maryland with a focus on how/if their successful strategies could be applied in Connecticut. Oregon consolidated state health purchasing under one new state agency, implemented an ambitious Medicaid waiver with a total annual cap on cost increases, assistance for PCMH…

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Governor’s latest budget cuts even more HUSKY parents

Yesterday the Governor released his counter-proposal for the next biennial budget. The proposal cuts the remaining working parents above 138% of the federal poverty level, the eligibility level for all adults, in the HUSKY program. Last year the Governor and legislature agreed to cut parents to 155%. Due to federal law allowing time for transition,…

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