Health Care Reform Cabinet Progress Report
for the month of September 2010
Submitted by:
Cristine A. Vogel
Health Care Reform Cabinet, Chair
UPDATE AT A GLANCE
Funding Opportunity Application Lead Agency Comments
1. Temp. High Risk Pool Awarded 7/19 DSS/DOI 1. Receiving applications
2. Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Awarded 8/31 Comptroller Office 2. HHS guidance will follow
3. Prem. Rate Review Awarded 8/15 DOI 3. Received $1,000,000
4. Long-term Care Submitted 7/30;Awarded 9/17 DSS & Commission On Aging 4. 3 grants included; MFP awarded $448,500
5. Maternal/Child Home Visits Awarded 7/9; part 2 9/16 DPH/DSS 5. Received $855,073 Part 1
6. Multipayer Adva. Primary Care Submitted 8/17 Comptroller/DSS/ProHealth MD 6. in process
7. Backgrd Check Prog. LTC providers Awarded 9/10 DPH/DSS (state match 25%) 7. Requested $2,635,800
8. Teen Pregnancy (PREP) Awarded 9/30 DPH 8. Received $596,440
9. Public Health Infrastructure Awarded Part 1 9/21 DPH 9. Received $200,000x5yr; 2ndpart unfunded
10. Emerging Infections Awarded 9/20 DPH 10. Received $309,446
11. Epi & Lab capacity Awarded 9/20 DPH 11. Received $247,028
12. Exchange Planning Grant Awarded 9/30 OPM 12. Received $996,850
13. Healthy Comm Tobac, DM, BRFSS Awarded 9/20 DPH 13. Received $68,000 (formulary)
14. Supplemental for BRFSS Submitted 9/7 DPH 14. funding amount $306,960
15. Consumer Assistance Submitted 8/5 OHA 15. funding request $500,000
Submitted 9/10 DOI 15. funding request $375,000
16. Supplemental HIV/AIDS - lab rpt Awarded 9/14 DPH 16. Received$79,714
17. Supplemental HIV testing Awarded 9/14 DPH 17. Received $145,567
18. Pregnancy Assistance Fund Awarded 9/28 SDE (education) 18. Received $1,999,991
Health Care Reform Cabinet minutes from the September 16, 2010 meeting:
The meeting started with introductions of the Cabinet members and was followed by the progress update on the different funding opportunities.
M. Starkowski and R. Dakers provided an overview of the NGA Conference that took place in Stowe VT that included 25 states with a focus on the planning issues of the insurance exchanges. Members provided an update on funding opportunities and that information is reflected in the table above. M. Starkowski reported that a few people have inquired about the Temporary High Risk Pool, but the majority of the calls have been associated with the Low Income Adults program. Concerns have been voiced to the HHS/CMS regarding the restrictive design and if that could be altered the uptake may be improved. DSS reported that they have put the appropriate process in place to be in compliance with smoking cessation for pregnant woman requirement effective 10/1/10.
The Cabinet has created three work groups and their progress reports are as follows:
1. Funding Opportunities – the group met to ensure agency involvement, CHEFA has offered to be responsible for updating the spreadsheet on a weekly basis. Should be made available on the DPH/Health care reform website soon.
2. Exchange – the details of the grant application were reviewed in-depth. HHS is to notify the states by Sept 30th.
3. Communications & Outreach – group received an overview of health care reform at the last meeting so agencies can be more informed and respond to questions; group discussed recommendations to begin to identify ways that all constituents receive timely and accurate information.
C. Vogel presented the details of the insurance exchange planning grant. Discussion focused on the IT issues of the Medicaid system and its integration into the exchange system. The planning grant funding will assist in the decision-making process as it will provide the modeling analysis and IT assessments that will provide the critical framework for the design of the exchange.
Cabinet Members:
Thomas Sullivan, Commissioner, Dept. of Insurance (present)
Michael Starkowski, Commissioner, Dept. of Social Services (present)
Patricia Rehmer, Commissioner, Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services (designee present)
Peter O’Meara, Commissioner, Dept. of Developmental Services (present)
Diane Wallace, Commissioner, Dept. of Information & Technology (present)
Michael Purcaro, Dept. of Public Health (present)
Robert Dakers, Office of Policy & Management (present)
Janet Williams, M.D., Dept. of Children & Families (present)
Susan Sherman, Dept. of Revenue Services (present)
Ronald Angelo, Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Economic & Community Development (present)
Jeffrey Asher, CT Health & Educational Facilities Authority (present)
Cristine Vogel, Special Advisor to the Governor for Health Care Reform