Sen. Joe Markley, the ranking Republican on the Human Services Committee, has asked state auditors to investigate claims of fraud involving benefits distributed by the state Department of Social Services this month to make up for losses incurred in Tropical Storm Irene. In a letter to the auditors, Markley questioned how eligibility for the benefits […]
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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Community Health Network selected for Medicaid ASO
The Department of Social Services has selected Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc. to negotiate a contract to administer Medicaid and the state’s other public health care programs, which serve nearly 600,000 people. The Wallingford-based nonprofit currently serves as one of three managed care companies that administer the HUSKY program for mostly low-income children and […]
Malloy to announce major collaboration with genetics firm Friday
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and officials from the genetics research firm Jackson Laboratory will announce a “major collaboration” in bioscience Friday morning, according to Malloy’s office. On Wednesday, former UConn President Philip E. Austin, who serves as the university’s interim vice president for health affairs, said that a “major scientific group” will be relocating to […]
Planned Parenthood a target of House GOP inquiry
House Republicans have ramped up their campaign against Planned Parenthood, launching an official congressional investigation into the organization, which provides sexual and reproductive health care to women across the country. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., chairman of a House oversight and investigations subcommittee, has asked Planned Parenthood for reams of documents about everything from its accounting […]
Yale-New Haven, St. Raphael move ahead with merger plans
Plans for a merger between Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of St. Raphael are moving forward. The hospitals announced Wednesday that they have signed an agreement and will now seek approval from state and federal regulators. The plan must be reviewed by the state attorney general’s office, the state Office of Health Care Access, […]
UConn Health Center leader says major scientific company likely to relocate to CT
The interim leader of the University of Connecticut Health Center told a room full of top university officials that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will likely make a big announcement next week that a “major scientific group” will relocate to Connecticut. Philip E. Austin said the move will likely create hundreds of jobs and is directly […]
Parents fear health care law could derail autism coverage
Autism treatment advocates have won one legislative battle after another since 2007, most recently in California, which sent a bill to the governor this month mandating that insurers cover the disorder. Now more than half the states have such requirements, but that success could be in jeopardy as federal officials set new national standards for health […]
DSS will take disaster benefit applications after deadline–if you’re in line before time runs out
Tuesday is the last day to apply for benefits to make up for losses incurred during Tropical Storm Irene, but people in line when the Department of Social Services offices close will be issued “rain check” vouchers to return for application processing. The benefits are available to low-income state residents who do not currently receive […]
Officials link gain in young adult health coverage to reform law
Health insurance coverage among young adults has increased while coverage for other age groups barely budged, a change that federal officials are linking to last year’s health reform law, which lets children stay on their parents’ health plans until turning 26. The percentage of Americans aged 19 to 25 with health insurance rose from 66.1 […]
Alzheimer’s Association works with police chiefs to train officers
Police officers will receive training in communicating with people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as part of a partnership between the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, the groups announced during a press conference outside the state Capitol Wednesday. There are 5.4 million people in the U.S. with Alzheimer’s, including 70,000 […]
What Obama’s debt-reduction plan would mean for key federal health programs
In his plan to trim the federal deficit, President Barack Obama Monday proposed $320 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, largely by changing how the federal government pays health providers, slashing payments to drug companies, and dramatically changing the way it splits the costs of Medicaid with the states, according to a fact sheet […]
Disaster benefits available for low-income residents’ losses
Low-income state residents who incurred expenses from Tropical Storm Irene could be eligible for federal aid through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to the state Department of Social Services. Applications for the aid will be available beginning Wednesday at all 12 DSS field offices. The application period will continue each weekday through Tuesday, […]
Medical society gets new president, honors doctor for free care network
The Connecticut State Medical Society swore in its new president Saturday and honored a New Haven cardiologist who helped found a program to coordinate donated care for uninsured patients. Dr. Michael M. Krinsky, a neurologist who practices in the Hartford area, became the medical society’s 173rd president. Krinsky previously served as president of the Hartford […]
Can some job growth hurt the economy?
Gregory Warner of Marketplace takes a look at the complicated role that health care plays in the economy. He visits Oakland County, Mich., where local officials see building hospitals as a way to boost the economy by creating recession-proof jobs. The problem, critics say, is that having half-full hospitals competing for the same privately insured […]
Almost all state workers choose controversial wellness plan
Ninety-six percent of the employees covered by the state health care plan have enrolled in a new wellness plan that was the subject of controversy surrounding a union concession package earlier this year. State Comptroller Kevin Lembo announced Friday that more than 50,000 state employees enrolled in the Health Enhancement Program, which begins Oct. 1. […]