Millions of people miss their annual check up at the dentist because they can’t find a dentist, Kaiser Health News reports this morning. The Kaiser story looks at a new Institute of Medicine report on how to improve access to dental care. One contentious suggestion from the IOM: give dental hygenists and other lesser-trained professionals […]
Deirdre Shesgreen
Posted inHealth, Money
CT gets almost $2 million for school-based health centers
Connecticut is slated to get nearly $2 million in federal grant money for school-based health centers, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The funding is part of the health reform law, which authorized a total of $200 million over three years for the School-Based Health Center Capital Program. The program awards […]
Posted inNews
Controversial ‘provider tax’ being scrutinized in debt talks
WASHINGTON–One of the most contentious elements of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s recently-passed budget was a new tax on Connecticut hospitals, which won legislative approval despite fierce opposition from the industry. Now, policymakers in Washington may restrict the ability of states to enact such taxes–and they could even force Connecticut to scale back or eventually repeal […]
Posted inPolitics
Ex-Blumenthal staffer joins Democratic Super PAC
Richard Blumenthal’s top spokesman has left the Connecticut senator’s office for a job with a Democratic “Super PAC” that could play a major role in the 2012 elections. Ty Matsdorf, who worked on Blumenthal’s 2010 Senate campaign and then joined his staff in Washington, just started a new gig at the American Bridge 21st Century. […]
Posted inPolitics
Wilson-Foley raises $200,000 in 2nd quarter
Lisa Wilson-Foley, a Republican candidate for Connecticut’s 5th congressional district, raised about $200,000 in the 2nd quarter of 2011. Her campaign didn’t say how much cash she had in the bank. “With our state and country reaching almost 10% unemployment, and with our government at a stalemate in this budget crisis, I am seeing voters […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Medicare board under political microscope in the House
How to curb health care costs in the Medicare program? One solution, included in the federal health reform law, is the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a controversial federal panel established to make some of the tough decisions Congress has shied away from. But even as Medicare is a hot topic in Washington’s budget-and-deficit talks, opposition […]
Posted inNews
Larson walking a fine line as debt discussions drag on
WASHINGTON–As the debt negotiations drag on and the stakes ratchet up, is Rep. John Larson in a tough spot, or a sweet spot? As chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Larson has to go to bat for his party’s core policy and political interests, which include preserving Social Security and Medicare benefits. At the same […]
Posted inNews
Health care for the poor vulnerable in budget talks
WASHINGTON — Big debt-reduction deal or little deal, Medicaid is the one entitlement program that’s almost certain to be on the chopping block as the White House and congressional leaders look for ways to trim federal spending. The Republican’s decision on Saturday to step away from a $4 trillion budget-and-debt proposal, opting for a smaller […]
Posted inPolitics
The Hotline on Tong
The National Journal’s Hotline looks at U.S. Senate hopeful William Tong’s “compelling personal narrative” and the genesis of his one-time nickname, “balloon boy,” among other things. Check out the story here.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Murphy raises $925,000 in 2nd quarter
Rep. Chris Murphy raised more than $900,000 for his U.S. Senate campaign in the 2nd fundraising quarter. A news release from his campaign this morning said he raised $925,000 in the 2nd Quarter, bringing his total so far this year to more $2 million. The campaign ended the 2nd quarter with more than $1.6 million […]
Posted inNews
Delegation divided on trade deals
WASHINGTON — Sen. Joseph Lieberman says three trade deals pending in Congress could do more to create jobs than anything else lawmakers are debating right now. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says they could undermine workers’ rights, environmental protections, and America’s strained manufacturers. Those two divergent views help to explain why the three agreements with Colombia, Panama, […]
Posted inNews
Feeding the hungry press on a summer afternoon in D.C.
WASHINGTON — How do you comment on debt-and-budget negotiations that are being conducted in secret, with little to go on save rumors and leaked tidbits? And what if you are a ranking member of Congress who is out of the loop? That was Rep. John Larson’s challenge Thursday, when the Democratic Caucus chairman stepped into […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Donovan raises $230,000 for 5th District contest
House Speaker Chris Donovan has raised more than $230,000 in the 2nd quarter for his bid to represent Connecticut’s 5th congressional district, his campaign said Thursday. Donovan announced his bid in mid-May, getting a later start than other contenders in the crowded contest to replace Rep. Chris Murphy. Murphy is running for the U.S. Senate. […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Medicare officials will fix error that could have cost CT hospitals $30 million
The federal Medicare and Medicaid agency has agreed to correct a $30 million mistake how it calculates payments to Connecticut hospitals. The Connecticut Hospital Association first caught the error, a provision in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ complex reimbursement rules. The CHA determined that the error would have cost one hospital in Rep. […]
Posted inMoney
Blumenthal lauds reversal on suicide condolence letters
Sen. Richard Blumenthal applauded the White House’s decision to begin sending condolence letters to families of service members who commit suicide. Previously, the Administration’s policy had been to only send letters to families of personnel who were killed in combat or noncombat incidents in war zones. The White House initiated a review of that policy […]