A provision of the 2010 federal health law linking hospital payments to patient satisfaction surveys may be complicating national efforts to curb the use of opioids and address the epidemic of painkiller abuse.
Doctors wrestle with mixed messages over prescribing painkillers
Posted inPolitics
Larson, Lewis meet with Speaker Ryan, but no deal on gun bills vote
WASHINGTON – Democratic U.S. Reps. John Larson and John Lewis met with House Speaker Paul Ryan late Tuesday, and receiving no assurances that votes would be held on gun control legislation, said they will continue their campaign to pressure House GOP leaders.
Posted inHealth
State deems insurance co-op, HealthyCT, financially unstable
About 40,000 people will lose their health insurance in the coming months as a result of a state evaluation that has deemed the financial health of Connecticut’s nonprofit health care co-op unstable.
Posted inHealth
Five years after approval, cord blood program at a standstill
Despite the passage of legislation five years ago that authorized the creation of the state’s first public umbilical-cord blood collection bank, organizers say a state-sponsored effort to collect cord blood in Connecticut has stalled.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Anthem-Cigna controversy exposes gaps in ethics rules
Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade’s controversial refusal to recuse herself from ruling on the Anthem-Cigna insurance merger has provoked a reappraisal of ethics regulators, who heavily rely on the self-reporting of public officials, and an ethics code that may be clearer to lawyers than lovers of English.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
Our interstate system is an engineering marvel — and in need of repairs
As anyone who drives on I-95 in Connecticut knows, the interstates have far surpassed their expected traffic load and are in need of billions of repairs. Little did we know 60 years ago what our automotive future might bring.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Three of 10 ‘Slices of Justice’ is a good start
After a season of campaigning, we, the Grow Hartford Youth, are proud to announce that three of our 10 slices in our “10 Slices of Justice” campaign to improve Hartford Public High School lunches will be a reality in the fall of 2016.
Posted inPolitics
Backed by CT lawmakers, new law shields Puerto Rico from creditor lawsuits
WASHINGTON — Puerto Rico announced Friday it will default on nearly $1 billion of its debt, but legislation backed by Connecticut lawmakers and signed by President Barack Obama this week puts a halt to legal battles that would stem from the island’s inability to pay for a growing share of its debt.
Posted inMoney
Lembo sees a few ‘bright spots’ among CT’s fiscal woes
While confirming that state government’s finances have slipped yet again, Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo also said Friday that a few “bright spots” show Connecticut’s economy might not be done growing.
Posted inHealth
As deadline looms, 15 percent losing Medicaid find new coverage
Connecticut’s health insurance exchange announced Thursday about 15 percent of low-income parents set to lose their state-sponsored Medicaid coverage at the end of July have transitioned to new insurance plans. Officials expect about 14,000 parents to lose their HUSKY A coverage.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money
Legislators fear budget cuts taking their toll on CT’s parks
The Senate chairwoman of the legislature’s Sportsmen’s Caucus conceded Wednesday she’s uncertain how much can be done to fix the situation, given state government’s ongoing fiscal woes.
Posted inEducation
Leadership changes at state’s largest public college system
Nicholas M. Donofrio is being replaced as chair of the Board of Regents by Matt Fluery, and a new provost has been named. The president of Southern Connecticut State University is departing for a post in California.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Comptroller says Wade should recuse herself on Cigna merger
Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo publicly urged Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade on Thursday to recuse herself from Connecticut’s review of the Anthem-Cigna merger, saying even a positive legal ruling from ethics officials would not overcome the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Posted inNews
Malloy directs agencies to save $130M to balance new CT budget
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy assigned nearly $130 million in total savings targets Thursday to dozens of state agencies to help balance the new state budget that begins Friday. Although legislators assigned limits in some cases to spread the burden out among as many agencies as possible, the cuts fell heaviest on social services and education.
Posted inPolitics
Some CT GOP challengers give Trump a cool embrace; most skipping convention
WASHINGTON — While three GOP candidates for Connecticut’s congressional seats are enthusiastic about Trump, John Shaban, running in the 4th District, has not committed and two others have offered a cool embrace.