National gridlock on health reform misses the point

A new report by Families USA estimates that 2,100 residents of Connecticut have died because they were uninsured since the last time Congress considered health reform but did not act. The report predicts that without reform another 1,700 will die by 2019. The report used methodology from an Institute of Medicine study with updated numbers.

“The findings in this report are truly shocking and underscore the urgent need for health insurance reform. We cannot afford to stand idle as individuals and families in Connecticut and across our nation continue to suffer and even die because they don’t have health insurance. I thank the Connecticut Health Policy Project and Families USA for bringing this issue to light and for their work on behalf of the uninsured,” said U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District “We are closer than ever to bringing real reform to the health insurance industry – reform that will end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, lower health insurance costs for all Americans and strengthen Medicare for the long term. Just this week, the House passed important legislation that would force the health insurance industry to compete fairly and honestly like every other industry in America, ending the health insurance industry’s anti-trust exemption. I also applaud President Obama for bringing together Republicans and Democrats for today’s health care summit. Health care reform is not a Republican or a Democratic issue, as this report proves it is an American issue and one we must confront.”

“For many, the health care reform debate is a matter of life and death,” U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-2nd District, said. “ This debate is about providing coverage to those who are without and controlling skyrocketing costs for small businesses and families whose health is threatened by a dysfunctional system.”

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said, “It is simply appalling that in my own state of Connecticut, 2,100 adults have died due to lack of health insurance since the last attempt to pass health care reform legislation—and another 1,700 will die in the next 10 years if we fail to act. For far too long, the American people have waited for Congress to act, and this report makes it starkly clear: the cost of inaction is too high. We must continue the work we have done over the past year and work to pass legislation that will ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health insurance reform. It is literally a matter of life and death.”

Pressure is building to improve health insurance premium regulation

Calls are increasing from advocates, legislators and public officials to better regulate health insurance rates in CT. A bill being heard today in the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, SB-194 An Act Concerning Rate Approvals for Individual Health Insurance Policies, would tighten the CT Insurance Dept. procedure for approving insurers’ proposed rate hikes. A recent report by the Office of Legislative Research found that the Dept. rarely denies insurer requests. The US Dept. of Health and Human Services released a report last week highlighting CT among states with very large insurer rate requests and predicts 20 to 40% rate increases into the future. The President’s recent health reform plan proposes to regulate premiums at the federal level rather than the states.
Ellen Andrews

CT a leader in children’s oral health

Some good news for a change – CT is recognized as a national leader in getting dental care to children in a new report by the Pew Center for the States. The proportion of children on Medicaid receiving dental care has been rising since 2005 up to 41.4%. It’s true that is low, well below the rate for children with private insurance at 58% (and far below 100%, every child deserves decent health care) but it is above the US Medicaid average of 38.1%. We met six of eight benchmark oral health policies, so we are far ahead of most states. Oral health advocates (current and former) at the CT Oral Health Initiative, Greater Hartford Legal Assistance, and champions in the General Assembly deserve all the credit.
Ellen Andrews

Why is getting healthy so hard? Find out April 21st

The Donaghue Foundation’s annual meeting will focus on behavioral and cultural perspectives on taking responsibility for our health. The meeting will be Wednesday, April 21st from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Hartford Marriott Farmington. Registration is free. For more information click here.

What if news was run like health care?

Building on the idea of running an airline the way we run the US health care system, yesterday’s NY Times column by Nicholas Kritof, I Cost More But I’m a Specialist, envisions news delivery like health care delivery. Very funny.

CT state retiree health and benefit system underfunded by $26 billion

A new report by the Pew Center on the States finds that while all but four states have underfunded retiree benefits, CT is among the worst. We are one of eight states with over one third of our liability unfunded. In 2008 CT’s pension liabilities totaled $41.3 billion, but we had only $25.45 billion in assets and health care and other benefits are 62% of the retirement funding shortfall. This doesn’t count last year’s early retirements which have significantly added to that liability. Pew has rated our health care and benefits fund as needing improvement but our pension fund earned their lowest rating – serious concerns.
Ellen Andrews

Webinar on DPH health care workforce programs, addition to medical home webinar

Thursday, Feb. 25th at 3pm, speakers from DPH will join the SustiNet Health Care Workforce Task Force on a webinar to describe their health care workforce programs. Kristin Sullivan will discuss the public health workforce, Jennifer Filippone will describe J-1 Visas and online licensure, and Johanna David will present on the National Health Service Corp. To join the webinar, register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/402604745

Jim Hester, Director of Vermont’s Health Care Reform Commission has agreed to join the SustiNet Medical Home Committee webinar scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23rd. We will begin at noon with Jim; Ann Torregrossa of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform will join us at 1 pm. To register, go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/596582016

For a list of upcoming webinars and materials from prior talks, go to the CT Health Policy Project’s Webinar page.