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

Course Outline here

Course outline includes:

  • Description
  • Faculty
  • Learning Objectives
  • Student who could benefit
  • Expectations
  • Structure of class
  • “Textbook”
  • Topics
  • Timing of topics/classes

 

Students should have:

  • Curiosity and enthusiasm for 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, read the readings, participate in lunchtime lunchtime 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 - How Most Of Us Are Covered

Quality – Are We Getting What We Pay 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