Our Health Policy Matters

Last week, I shared four of the top policy stories of the year that told us something about how health policy has been trending over the past decade or more.  This week, I’m offering four more to close out the year that tell us a little about where health policy is going in the future. 4.  Connecticut Employees Choose Health .  Back in the early days of managed care, when HMOs were not yet a four-letter word and they emphasized wellness as much as health care cost containment, they proved to be popular with members.  In August, the State of Connecticut revived the concept, giving its employees the choice of a lower cost health insurance plan that emphasized wellness or their traditional comprehensive plan.  It expected 50% to choose the new wellness plan.  But the state got a big surprise.  When the dust settled in October, 97% had opted for the wellness plan.  This will cost the state much more in the first year, but will also produce more ...

Last week, I shared four of the top policy stories of the year that told us something about how health policy has been trending over the past decade or more.  This week, I’m offering four more to close out the year that tell us a little about where health policy is going in the future. 4.  Connecticut Employees Choose Health .  Back in the early days of managed care, when HMOs were not yet a four-letter word and they emphasized wellness as much as health care cost containment, they proved to be popular with members.  In August, the State of Connecticut revived the concept, giving its employees the choice of a lower cost health insurance plan that emphasized wellness or their traditional comprehensive plan.  It expected 50% to choose the new wellness plan.  But the state got a big surprise.  When the dust settled in October, 97% had opted for the wellness plan.  This will cost the state much more in the first year, but will also produce more ...

According to a recent report in Health Affairs , health spending in the United States is projected to rise by 5.8% per year over the next decade. source: CT OPM Rising health care costs are a problem that must be brought under control.  One approach is to do what Florida's doing.  It is forcing state employees into a single HMO, removing all competition from the market while praying that the HMO won't be motivated by making a profit.  Another is to look at what the State of Connecticut is doing. It is betting over $100 million that its employees and retirees will respond to a different kind of “individual mandate” from the one under fire in the Affordable Care Act.   Connecticut has decided to give financial incentives to employees and retirees to manage their health.   It will also penalize financially those who do not.   State workers overwhelmingly voted to accept the new deal earlier this month.   If the plan works, then it may sign...

According to a recent report in Health Affairs , health spending in the United States is projected to rise by 5.8% per year over the next decade. source: CT OPM Rising health care costs are a problem that must be brought under control.  One approach is to do what Florida's doing.  It is forcing state employees into a single HMO, removing all competition from the market while praying that the HMO won't be motivated by making a profit.  Another is to look at what the State of Connecticut is doing. It is betting over $100 million that its employees and retirees will respond to a different kind of “individual mandate” from the one under fire in the Affordable Care Act.   Connecticut has decided to give financial incentives to employees and retirees to manage their health.   It will also penalize financially those who do not.   State workers overwhelmingly voted to accept the new deal earlier this month.   If the plan works, then it may sign...