Washington – As the Senate’s chief defender of the Affordable Care Act, Sen. Chris Murphy took a sledgehammer to a GOP alternative Thursday. “It would mean the retraction of health care for millions of Americans, “ he said.
Health
Stories about health care access and affordability in CT, as well as abortion, COVID, health equity and disparities, health systems and social determinants of health.
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Newtown activists introduce bill banning high-capacity magazines
WASHINGTON – Newtown activists on Thursday helped introduce the first gun safety bill in this Congress, officially kicking off the gun control debate on Capitol Hill. The bill would ban large capacity ammunition clips for everyone but military members and law enforcement officers.
Anthem says hackers stole customers’ personal information
Updated 4:30 p.m.
Hackers targeting health insurer Anthem gained access to personal information on tens of millions of current and former customers and employees across the country, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Six things to know about Obamacare and taxes
The federal health law created some significant changes for tax filers, particularly those who didn’t have health insurance or who bought health plans through public health insurance exchanges like Connecticut’s Access Health CT. Here are a few things to know.
Tenet, Malloy give up talks on reviving hospital acquisitions
Tenet Healthcare and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday that they are ending discussions about the Texas company’s acquiring Connecticut hospitals.
CT officials, executives on fact-finding trip to D.C.
WASHINGTON – Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy invited dozens of Connecticut local officials, business executives and heads of non-profit agencies to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday for a day of accessing the sometimes puzzling ways of Washington.
Senate approves, Obama will sign, Blumenthal’s veterans bill
WASHINGTON -– The Senate unanimously approved a bill Tuesday sponsored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal and John McCain that aims to prevent veteran suicides, which now average 22 a day.
A Super Bowl ad pushes for talk about domestic violence and sexual assault
Chances are most people watching the Super Bowl – and the ad about domestic violence that ran during the game – know someone who experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. But they might not be aware of it. “Despite the vast numbers impacted by these crimes, people are not talking about them,” said Virginia Witt, director of the campaign behind the ad. So what will change that?
Blumenthal wins on veteran suicide prevention bill
Washington – With an average of 22 veterans committing suicide every day, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and John McCain, R-Ariz., teamed up to try to do something about it — and Senate colleagues on Tuesday voted unanimously to help.
Key tax forms delayed for 3,600 Connecticut Obamacare customers
Connecticut’s health insurance exchange has delayed mailing 3,600 customers the forms that will be needed to file their tax returns, and might not send them out until the end of February.
Malloy’s budget cuts again hit social services, universities, courts
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled more than $31.5 million in spending cuts Friday in his second round of emergency budget reductions, with social services, public colleges and universities and state court system again taking the heaviest hits. A shortfall of at least $89 million remains to be addressed.
Recognizing trauma and isolation
Nelba Márquez-Greene’s family experienced a high-profile trauma when her daughter, Ana, was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. But before that, she understood trauma as a mental health professional. She says we need to do a better job at recognizing and responding when children need help. The last in a series of four.
From brain science to Stop & Shop
From providing mental health care at the supermarket to training pediatricians in infant mental health, some in health care and social services are trying to apply the lessons of brain science and development to improve children’s health and well-being. The third of four in a series.
Changing course
Science suggests that having a secure relationship with a caregiver can help protect a child’s brain and body from the effects of adversity. A Connecticut program for very young children who have experienced trauma or other challenges has gotten results by focusing on that relationship – and the things that can interfere, including depression, family violence and a parent’s own history of trauma. The second article in a four-part series.
The long reach of childhood trauma
Research has linked significant adversity in childhood to a wide range of disorders and diseases, mental and physical. Can understanding this make a profound change in the way we prevent illness? The first of four in a series.



