On May 13, 2009 hundreds of people visited the Capitol to remind legislators in the House of the importance of passing legislation reforming health care in the state.
Last week the Insurance Committee passed a new version of the SustiNet bill (HB 6600) and it to the House. A vote is expected as early as Tuesday. Here is a summary of the bill as it came out the Insurance Committee.
The bill establishes a 14 member SustiNet Health Partnership board of directors whose purpose is to make recommendation to the legislature by January 2, 2011 on the design and establish the SustiNet Plan, which is intended to provide health care coverage in the state. The recommendations must include:
1. the establishment of a public authority to contract with insurers and providers, develop a health care infrastructure, set reimbursement rates, create advisory committees, and encourage the use of health information technology;
2. provisions for phase-in of the SustiNet Plan to state employees and retirees, HUSKY A and B members, people without employer sponsored insurance, people with unaffordable employer sponsored insurance, and small and large employers;
3. guidelines for development of model benefits package;
4. public outreach and methods of identifying uninsured citizens.
All uninsured individuals in the state with incomes under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible to enroll in either HUSKT A or B after July 1, 2012.
The bill establishes several task forces and committees:
1. Information Technology Committee: to develop plan for developing, acquiring, financing, leasing, or purchasing interoperable electronic medical records software and hardware packages for subscribing providers.
2. Medical Home Advisory Committee: to develop procedures and proposed regulations for the operation of medical homes for SustiNet members.
3. Health Care Provider Committee: to develop clinical care and safety guidelines for use by participating providers, recommend quality of care standards for particular medical conditions.
4. Preventive Health Care and Community-based Preventive Health Infrastructure Committee: to make recommendations to improve health outcomes for members e.g. nutrition, exercise, tobacco use.
5. Independent Information Clearinghouse: to provide information about care covered by SustiNet and other plans.
6. Obesity Task Force: to study childhood and adult obesity
7. Tobacco Use Task Force: to study tobacco us in children and adults
8 Health Care Workforce task Force: to study health care workforce and design a plan to remedy shortages.
In that spirit, we are starting a canvass in Northeastern Connecticut to educate people about the healthcare4every1 campaign and update folks on what is happening in this legislative session with health care. We will also let them know how they can make a difference right now! Our first canvass date will be in the Windham area on April 15th around 4:30pm. If you are interested, contact Kristin Beck @ 860 539 6151. We will have a blast and you’ll get to know your neighbors!