As directed in a law passed last year, the Health
Care Cabinet is considering a draft Strawman
proposal drafted by consultants for comprehensive, statewide health care
reform in Connecticut. Many concerns have been raised about the very ambitious
proposal which includes merging all state agencies that touch health care, ACOs
with downside risk, an 1115 waiver for Medicaid, aligning the state employee
and Medicaid coverage plans, among other ideas. Comments
on the Strawman from the CT Health Policy Project, and an alternative set
of options, focuses on building trust in our state by piloting lots of ideas
that are working in other states. A one-size-fits-all solution dictated by the
state is unlikely to succeed. Our comments focus on pilots, evaluating what
works and what didn’t, and making appropriate adjustments. We need to follow
what works, abandon what doesn’t and we need evaluations and data to know the difference.
The Cabinet reconvenes tomorrow morning to continue the discussion. Independent
advocates and providers sent
a letter Friday asking for an opportunity for public input into the
Cabinet’s final recommendations.
