Stamford Advocate - November 14, 2007

By Natasha Lee
Staff Writer

HARTFORD - Hospital officials yesterday overwhelmingly supported draft recommendations to increase state medical reimbursement rates and improve patient access to health care, but warned state officials to act quickly.

Connecticut Post Online - October 18, 2007

Ken Dixon

HARTFORD — An advisory group with a goal to design a universal health care system in Connecticut had its inaugural meeting on Wednesday and legislative leaders were there to encourage them.

Created during this year's legislative session, the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority is bringing health care professionals, activists and advocates together with a common goal at a time when as many as 400,000 state residents may be without adequate insurance coverage.

Stamford Advocate - October 18, 2007

By Brian Lockhart

HARTFORD - It didn't take long yesterday for a panel exploring a universal health care system in Connecticut to display its differences.

A few minutes into the first meeting of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority, member Mickey Herbert, president of ConnectiCare Health Plans, encouraged colleagues to shy away from studying health care systems in other countries that discourage "choice."

Hartford Courant Editorial - March 23 2006

Health care costs in Connecticut and across the country are out of control and something must be done about it.

This is not news. Health care costs - with prescription drug prices a bigger share of the problem - have been a runaway train for years. They are gobbling up an ever-increasing portion of the state budget. Health costs are inhibiting economic growth and causing some companies to cut benefits.

"I thought every day was Insurance Day" at the Capitol, Phil Sherwood, legislative director for the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, said after the rally. "They've generally got what they've wanted."

Hartford Courant - May 3, 2007

By DIANE LEVICK
Courant Staff Writer

May 3 2007

Hundreds Rally At Bushnell Park For Statewide Universal Health Care Coverage

Hartford Courant - May 6 2007

The bad news came at once. Terry Forde learned that his wife had breast cancer in the same month that CIGNA, her longtime employer, told her she was being laid off. The couple would now have to survive on the money Forde made cleaning offices, without health benefits, when they needed medical care the most.

healthcare4every1.org - April 16, 2007

As Connecticut confronts one of the most critical issues facing its families, communities and economy, it’s imperative that lawmakers and the public get accurate information, and that has to start with the press.

Hartford Courant Editorial - April 15 2007

If you don't believe the health care system is broken, read some of the poignant personal stories from the medical front recounted on the website healthcare4every1.org, sponsored by the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. These everyday experiences expose the shame that is reality: Even though as much as $22 billion is spent on health care in the state each year, too many hard-working Connecticut residents, even some who have health insurance, are not able to get the medical help they need.

Hartford Courant - April 3, 2007

HARTFORD -- Connecticut's two freshman members of Congress today released a plan to tweak the Medicare prescription drug benefit program.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy, who appeared at a state Capitol news conference, said they will introduce federal legislation later this month to create a new government-administered Medicare prescription drug plan that would compete with the dozens of private plans being offered.

Hartford Courant -- March 14 2007

By DIANE LEVICK, Courant Staff Writer

Legislative Committee Clears Two Differing Approaches To Health Care Reform

A bill to create a single health insurer in Connecticut - an anathema to the industry - won half-hearted approval Tuesday from a legislative panel, which also passed a reform bill the industry favors.