FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Victoria Veltri, OHA, 860-297-3982
November 18, 2010 Steve Jensen, OSC, 860-702-3308
WYMAN AND LEMBO LAUNCH FINAL PLANNING PHASE:
EXAMINATION OF COVERAGE AND COST ESTIMATES FOR SUSTINET PLAN
SustiNet Board of Directors Weighing Multiple Options
to Ensure Health Care Security for the State.
Hartford, CT - Today, the SustiNet Board Co-Chairs, State Comptroller Nancy Wyman and State Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lembo, kick off the final phase of work with the SustiNet Health Partnership Board of Directors which focuses on coverage and cost estimates of six policy options. Phase I of the Board’s work included a deep-look into the state’s health care issues and priorities. At today’s Board meeting in Hartford, expert economists and statisticians will present seven financial models to the board for discussion and consideration as they head toward final recommendations. Each scenario moves the state closer to improving health security for Connecticut businesses and residents.
“The board process has been one of purposeful and methodical examination,” states Wyman. “The Board takes seriously its responsibility to the State and to Connecticut residents to ensure a fiscally responsible plan that will not only offer the state budget relief, but will improve access to quality health care coverage for Connecticut residents,” Wyman continued.
Since the July 1 submission to the Board of Directors of preliminary recommendations from five advisory committees and three task forces, the board’s focus has been on the review of various strategies and recommendations for improving access and quality while reducing costs, as well as eliminating health disparities across the state. The board has also examined the role of information technology and the patient centered medical home in achieving these goals. Today’s meeting will examine multiple scenarios available to the state along with their coverage and cost implications.
“We are in the final phases of a well-planned and data-driven process, comparing cost models to the cost of doing nothing,” said Healthcare Advocate Lembo. “Changes to delivery systems and coverage are shifting the health care environment around the country. States with smart plans have the most to gain. SustiNet will give Connecticut a head-start to benefit from these changes in ways that will be cost-effective and improve health care,” Lembo continued.
SustiNet and the movement to improve health care in Connecticut is an effort of state leadership, small businesses, doctors, unions, insurance brokers, clergy and diverse community based-organizations to address the unmet health care needs of residents. The SustiNet Board of Directors will present their final recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly in January 2011.
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For more information and media inquires, please contact Steve Jensen at the Office of the State Comptroller, 860-702-3308 or Victoria Veltri, Office of the State Healthcare Advocate, 860-297-3982.
