CGA Public Health, Human Services and Insurance and Real Estate Committees Public Hearing February 14, 2011 Support for: H.B. 6305 AN ACT CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTINET PLAN Comments Prepared by Donna Nickitas, Naomi Schiff Myers and Christine Horrigan Submitted by Cheryl Dunson, LWVCT President On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to comment on HB 6305 AAC Implementation of the SustiNet Plan. The League believes that every Connecticut resident should have access to a basic level of care at an affordable cost that promotes health and prevents disease. We also believe that health care services should be equitable, efficient, and economical. Better health care means an improved quality of life and function. When residents are healthy, they lead productive lives and contribute to the economic health of the state. For these reasons, the League supports the implementation of the SustiNet Plan as outlined in HB 6305. The proposed SustiNet Plan offers a coordinated and complete health insurance program that, when phased-in over time, will provide health care coverage to state employees, Medicaid enrollees, HUSKY Plan A and Part B enrollees, HUSKY Plus enrollees, municipalities, municipal-related employers, nonprofit employers (like the League), and small employers. Currently coverage to these groups is administered by separate agencies (e.g., state employees vs. HUSKY) or not provided at all (e.g., nonprofit employers) thereby losing the cost-saving benefits of a large pool. SustiNet will also save money by leveraging the state’s purchasing power, reducing duplication and waste, reforming incentives and payments to health care providers, and maximizing federal dollars. The League is pleased that beginning in 2014, the SustiNet Plan will also be offered as an option on the new health insurance exchange and that individuals and slightly larger employers will be allowed to join SustiNet. It is measures like these that encourage small businesses to protect the health of their employees and individuals to invest in their own well-being. The League understands that the SustiNet Plan will attempt to slow the growth of health care costs, improve the quality of health care services and improve members' health outcomes through innovative strategies and reforms. The League strongly recommends and endorses SustiNet’s emphasis on preventive care and the use of patient-centered medical care by implementing both primary care case management and patient-centered medical homes for all SustiNet Plan members. A patient-centered medical home is a cost-effective model that promotes care coordination, facilitates better monitoring of chronic health conditions and allows patients to monitor and manage their own conditions. We believe it is essential that the SustiNet Plan support and incorporate the use of health information technology. An easily accessible electronic medical records system will lead to greater access across the care continuum from primary care, acute care and long-term care regardless of health care provider, thereby reducing medical errors and duplication of services. Finally, the League supports the creation of the proposed SustiNet Plan Authority to implement the SustiNet Plan as well as the establishment of the SustiNet Plan Consumer Advisory Board. Together these bodies will provide the necessary oversight and accountability required to ensure that state residents receive high-quality, well-researched health care that is effective, efficient, safe, timely, and patient-centered. The League is pleased that the SustiNet Plan streamlines the state’s health care spending and implements innovative, cost-controlling measures while improving the quality of health care services and expanding coverage. We strongly endorse and support the implementation of the SustiNet Plan and urge you to vote “YES” on HB 6305. Thank you. League of Women Voters of Connecticut · 1890 Dixwell Avenue-Ste 203 Hamden, CT 06514 · 203/288-7996 | Advocacy:
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