The state Department of Public Health has begun to compile hard numbers showing where exactly the state stands in the changing landscape of health care.
“Federal health care reform has the potential to dramatically change the health care system in the coming years, particularly in the availability of primary care services in non-emergent settings,” said J. Robert Galvin, commissioner of the Department of Public Health. “By identifying gaps and trends in our current system, we are better able to prepare for the provisions of health care reform that will arise in the next several years.”?A recent study released by the department”™s Office of Health Care Access confirmed that many Connecticut residents are visiting hospital emergency rooms when a trip to a primary care facility would suffice.
In the SustiNet Healthcare Workforce Task Force Report released to the state General Assembly on July 1, it was recommended that such studies be compiled by the Public Health Department. The task force was to review the details and implementation process for a self-insured health care plan.
The SustiNet report reads, “Connecticut needs an in?depth analysis of current and future work force capacity, future and current needs and a plan to address the gaps with specific annual targets and numbers of graduates each year by occupation.”
The SustiNet report was reviewed by an 11-member board, charged with executing comprehensive reforms that increase access and improve quality and affordability.
Co-chairs of the SustiNet Board, Nancy Wyman, state comptroller, and Kevin Lembo, state health care advocate, said SustiNet represents a timely and innovative private-public partnership for solutions to the problems of health care. Wyman said the goal is to aid Connecticut and its residents.
“We are focused on creating a cost-effective system that provides more people with better care and also has a greater level of accountability to the taxpayers of our state,” Wyman said.
The SustiNet report called for the Department of Public Health to post an annual health care work force report card.
According to Galvin, the department”™s study, “Health Care Services in Connecticut, Availability, Utilization, and Access,” is the first of a three-part approach to planning for the state”™s future health care system. The study, along with an inventory of facilities, services and equipment and a statewide facilities and services plan to be released in 2012, and seeks to allow for a comprehensive approach to system-wide planning in order to positively impact the state”™s health care system.
Other trends in the study found adults between 45 and 64 as the fastest growing segment of inpatients, and Medicaid-covered patients have increased 10 percent while those with commercial insurance declined 4 percent.
