The CT Health Policy Project’s new website is live

The CT Health Policy Project has a brand new, updated website and we couldn’t be happier. The new site integrates our blog, with sections on our work including Medicaid/HUSKY accomplishments and challenges, ways to both improve quality and control costs in Smart Savings, and what’s happening in CT Health Reform. We highlight ways to Get Involved, good books to read in the Book Club, the Advocacy Toolbox, slides for a Health Policy undergrad class, and other Resources. Many thanks to that talented (and patient) people at Krative. Take a look.

CT life expectancy rising, but risks vary

A comprehensive, new analysis of public health outcomes, risks, and causes by state published in JAMA finds that life expectancy for CT residents rose from 77 years in 1990 to 80.8 year in 2016. Healthy life expectancy (maybe more important) also rose from 66.5 years to 69 years. States varied widely in the burden of disease. CT was significantly lower than the US average in all but three of twenty risks for disability, but we didn’t do as well when adjusted for sociodemographics. The highest risk factors in our state are, in order, high body mass index, tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, and dietary risks. The leading causes of disability in Connecticut in both 1990 and 2016 were heart disease and lung cancer. However diabetes rose from number 6 to number 3, while low back pain fell from number 3 to number 6. Interestingly, opioid use disorder dropped from number 5 to number 7. You can spend long hours in this article and even more in the extensive supplements.

Smart CT Medicaid smoking cessation coverage

A new CDC analysis finds that CT’s Medicaid program is among the most progressive in covering smoking cessation treatments. Medicaid members are twice as likely to smoke as other Americans. Smoking-related treatment costs US Medicaid programs about $39 billion annually, so effective tools to quit are a smart investment for states. Despite improvements, most states’ Medicaid smoking cessation coverage is limited. However CT is among the ten enlightened states that covers all ten effective treatments including medications, individual and group counseling. CT also does not levy copayments on tobacco cessation care, but does require prior authorization and has time limits on therapy.

CTNJ op-ed: Connecticut should be careful building a public insurance option through Medicaid

Health insurance is too expensive in Connecticut and it may get worse with troubling new federal policies. But one proposed state solution isn’t as simple as it sounds. Read more

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CT exchange premiums up this year, but similar to other states and still too high

There have been national reports of extreme increases for this year in health insurance exchange premiums, largely due to Trump administration policies. Not surprisingly, a new analysis by the Urban Institute for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that states with more competition among insurers and more options for consumers have the lowest premiums. Connecticut’s experience was mixed. In good news -- the average lowest silver plan for 40-year-old nonsmoker here rose 24.7% from 2017 to 2018 while the national increase averaged 32%. But we are still an expensive state; our least expensive silver plan premium is 21% higher than the US average. The least expensive gold plan premium in CT rose 34%, much higher than the US average of 19%. In sum, CT’s exchange record remains very mixed.

2018 CTMOM free dental clinic dates announced

This year’s annual free dental clinic will be April 20 – 21 at Torrington High School. Doors open at 8am. The clinic, in its 12^th year, is sponsored by the nonprofit CT Mission of Mercy (CTMOM) moves around the state each year. Last year the clinic provided over $1 million of free dental care to 1,472 mainly uninsured people. Click here for more information, to volunteer or sponsor. And lets work all year to provide decent oral health coverage to every CT resident, regardless of circumstances.

Book Club -- Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions

For the Book Club -- Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions

By Johann Hari, 2018

Depression and anxiety are becoming growing epidemic across the globe. This fascinating book by a sufferer explores the medicalization of the illnesses and over-reliance on drugs as a solution. Instead he explores social causes related to disconnection from meaningful work, other people, nature, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status/respect, and a secure future. He includes an impressive amount of research to support each cause, and ends with reasonable, workable, effective solutions for society, communities and for individuals. As a policy advocate, I appreciated a new perspective and how policies can support or undermine general mental health. Both inspirational and useful.