SustiNet - Connecticut's Health Care Reform Law ¿ It¿s a Big Fucking Deal

The Connecticut legislature will be holding a major public hearing today on the legislative proposal to further implement Connecticut’s landmark healthcare reform program called SustiNet.

SustiNet was adopted in 2009 by the Connecticut General Assembly. The law put in place a process to ensure that Connecticut was ready to implement the Federal healthcare reforms that were making their way through Congress. With a major implementation plan developed, phase I of the law is now complete and it is now up to the legislature to authorize or reject moving forward with the full plan.

Healthcare reform has become the issue of our time, both in Washington and here in Connecticut. In our politically polarized country few if any issues generate as much rhetoric and political debate. As observers across the political spectrum have come to know, it is the duty of Republicans, conservatives and tea-baggers to refer to national health care reform as Obamacare and socialism. Meanwhile, Democrats, liberals and those on the left are quick to point out that opponents of healthcare reform refuse to recognize that Americans have a fundamental right to health care and that like Scrooge, these right- wing nuts will not satisfied until the so called surplus population (aka the poor and uninsured) are dying in the streets.

Interestingly, both sides have managed to put God and country on their side while openly suggesting that the other side is following in the footsteps of Hitler and the Nazis. Meanwhile, the laws that require hospitals to treat anyone who walks in the door remain intact and virtually all economists recognize America’s existing healthcare system is bankrupting the country, our economy and countless hard-working Americans.

So with that as a backdrop, Connecticut s state government will spend a good deal of time and energy in the coming months debating whether to move forward with the SustiNet, a law that is designed to make sure that Connecticut is at the forefront of the effort to create a higher quality, more affordable healthcare system that will also provide healthcare coverage to the state’s uninsured residents.

One of the most important elements of the SustiNet law was the requirement that, regardless of what eventually happens with the Federal reform effort, insurers in Connecticut will be prohibited from discriminating against people with preexisting conditions. In addition, the SustiNet law includes a series of steps to improve quality while slowing the increasing costs of healthcare in Connecticut.

By bringing together state employees and retirees as well as state funded Medicaid and HUSKY beneficiaries, the law begins by using the state’s buying power to force health insurers to enhance coverage while charging more reasonable premiums.

Second, this new SustiNet health coverage option will give Connecticut cities and towns the opportunity to buy into what will be better, more affordable health insurance policies thereby reducing the pressure on local property taxes.

Third, SustiNet will then offer commercial-style insurance to small employers and non-profits, allowing employers and non-profit organizations to provide their employees with more, and hopefully less expensive, healthcare coverage.

When fully implemented, municipalities, employers and consumers will all be able to buy into the larger, more efficient SustiNet health insurance pool if they determine that is their best course of action for getting high quality, affordable coverage.

The SustiNet system will also maximize the amount of federal funds Connecticut receives. By getting its full share of federal funds, these enhancements and improvements will be much more affordable.

Further, the SustiNet law raises the required level of patient care including state-of-the-art programs like patient-centered medical homes, emphasis on preventative care and evidence-based medicine. It also creates fairer, more accurate reimbursement methods and encourages investment in technology such as electronic medical records that reduce medical errors and duplication of services.

Finally, rather than leave the development and management of this program in the hands of various state departments and agencies, the law seeks to improve coordination and oversight through a quasi-public SustiNet Authority.

Are there major costs associated with implementing this piece of legislation - yes of course - but there are even greater costs by not implementing it.  People who need care and don't get it end up seeking treatment in far more expensive places like emergency rooms.  Meanwhile without affordable health insurance more and more companies will find themselves unable to maintain their present work force let alone expand it.  And cities, town and nonprofit companies all need to find ways to provide quality benefits at more affordable rates.

Opponents miss the key point - SustiNet is a piece of legislation that will lead to a better Connecticut - economically and healthwise.

(The full implementation recommendations of the SustiNet Board can be found at: www.ct.gov/SustiNet)