Guided Study: Foundations of Connecticut Health Policy
Fall 2025
Sponsored by the CT Health Policy Project
This course will cut through Connecticut’s confusing health policy landscape with an overview of health policy structures impacting state residents. Students will have the opportunity to critically analyze basic concepts, principles, and consequences of health delivery and payment in the state.
At the conclusion of this course, students will have accomplished three goals. First, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the primary stakeholders, interactions, and routes to effective health policy and the obstacles hindering further growth. Second, students will be able to think about healthcare policy in critical and nuanced ways. Finally, students will be able to chart a path for healthcare policy improvement.
Faculty:
Ellen Andrews, PhD, CT Health Policy Project
Alexander Reger, PhD, Connecticut Office of Health Strategy
Apply here
Students should have:
- Curiosity and enthusiasm about understanding and improving health policy
- Willingness to learning about new areas
- Comfortable with exploring across Connecticut’s health system
- Experience or interest in writing, communications, and research for health policy
- Diverse perspectives encouraged
Expectations:
- Each week, watch narrated videos for each week, read the readings, participate in lunchtime virtual discussions
- Evaluate what you’ve learned and share your perspective
- Expect to devote two or three hours per week, but there will be opportunities to learn more
- Expect participants come to class having viewed the video and the readings
Class topics
Intro: Basics of Connecticut’s Health System
Medicaid – The Safety Net, Part 1
Medicare – The Safety Net, Part 2
Commercial Health Insurance Coverage
Quality – Are We Getting What We’re Paying For?
Public Health – Big Picture Health Improvements
Paying for Healthcare: Healthcare Economics and Market Failures
Workforce Development – The People Who Make It All Work
Payment and Delivery Reforms – Fixing The System?
The Future: Trends, Federal Changes, Innovation