After hearing from hospital executives, insurance and drug company representatives and other industry officials Thursday, lawmakers cited rising health care costs as a top issue they plan to address this legislative session.
"It's no secret that health care is unaffordable and the health care industry is failing to meet the needs of Connecticut families and small businesses," said Insurance and Real Estate Committee Chairman Sen. Matthew Leiter, D-Middletown. “Consumers should pay more for the same basic health care services.
"This forces parents and seniors to stretch family budgets and wait for treatment, increasing the risk of serious health problems later in life... By limiting spending, we are denying Connecticut families a better quality of life and the opportunity to grow businesses." ".
Thursday's hearing comes as double-digit price increases have been requested and approved this year for a number of health plans, including Access Health City, the state-run insurance exchange that covers hospital fees, basic insurance costs and other factors.
In July, insurers asked for an average increase of 20 percent for private health plans through 2023, far more than has been requested or agreed to in recent years. The state has signed an average increase of 13 percent.
Insurers require an average increase of 15% for small group plans; 8 percent government sanction. Residents, small business owners and health advocates criticized the proposal.
Carriers attribute the growth to increased demand for healthcare and rising prescription drug prices, among other trends. They also point to the expected increase in morbidity and claims due to delays in treatment during outbreaks.
Konknecare Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Neal Kelsey said Thursday that of every dollar the company earns in monthly fees, 84 cents goes toward members' medical and pharmacy costs.
"Hospital spending, both inpatient and outpatient, and retail pharmacy have been the main drivers of health care spending growth in recent years," he said. "And prescription drugs have become disproportionately expensive."
Of every dollar earned in premiums, 13 cents cover internal costs such as taxes, assessments and fees, and the remaining 3 cents is considered profit.
Acute care utilization is "driven by lifestyle and behavior," Kelsey says. "Unhealthy habits lead to disease, hence medical treatment."
ConnecticutCare Interim President Roberta Wachtelhausen echoed Kelsey's comments.
"A very large percentage of health care costs are driven by lifestyle behaviors," he said. “Lifestyle, especially the American lifestyle, the high rate of obesity in this country, is really the starting point for medical costs. So it all depends on human behavior as a factor in setting the premium.”
“Today's talk was about taking care of the sick and how to cut costs when someone is sick. If you can work with someone on lifestyle and all the social support, hopefully you can really get people off the system and onto a path to better health to control medical costs.
Patrick Charmell, president and CEO of Griffin Hospital, said unhealthy behaviors combined with the social determinants of health -- transportation, housing, nutrition and dietary information, personal and occupational safety -- must be considered when it comes to costs. medical assistance.
"Many communities are resource poor, and the number of Connecticut residents who are poor or working in poverty is increasing," he said. “I actually have a hospital in the lower Naugatuck River Valley. The two cities in which we are located. 50% of people in those cities do not have enough income to meet their basic needs. Do they live healthy lives in safe homes? , eat nutritious food and buy medicine.
“We spend less on social services compared to total health spending ... and if you say that has a greater impact on people's health than what we do on medical services, we need to change that. The problem is, where do these funds come from?
Glory. Insurance Committee Vice Chairman Kerry Wood, D-Rocky Hill, said members of his committee have begun talking with industry officials to understand what's driving medical costs.
"We are taking a step forward legislatively to really understand the value of treatment," he said. “I think it's worth spending time studying, and you've promised to make it a priority next year. When we legislate, we want to pass something that works and makes a real difference.
Gov. Ned Lamont has not detailed what policy changes he will propose in future sessions, but has asked for help to address rising health care costs.
"I call on everyone to come together to solve this problem. hospitals, doctors, drug manufacturers and benefit administrators, insurance companies and employers, large and small, all have an important role to play in addressing the cost of care. he said. . "The status quo cannot and will not continue if we are to ensure quality, affordable health care outcomes for all Connecticuters."
Republican governor vows to fight Biden's new vaccine mandate before Jan. 4 deadline VIDEO
Tidak ada komentar untuk "Legislators Pledge To Tackle Health Care Costs In Upcoming Session"
Posting Komentar