Public Health Basics The COVID pandemic proved the value of public health to save lives and improve health. Just a few public health services include vaccine clinics, restaurant safety, water quality, tracking disease outbreaks, and preventing health problems. Public health is among the best investments to improve the health of Connecticut residents, but it has…

Evidence Basics Studies estimate that only one in twenty commonly used healthcare treatments are supported by good evidence of effectiveness. Evidence-based Medicine provides clinicians with recommendations for treatment based on high-quality evidence. Both government agencies and non-government organizations evaluate evidence for treatments, create treatment guidelines, and share recommendations with providers so they can be used…

Workforce Basics More than one in eight Connecticut employees works in healthcare. It is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the state, as demand for healthcare increases. In general, healthcare jobs are well-paid, but many require extensive education. Physicians are the highest paid workers in Connecticut and across the US. Violence against healthcare…

Consolidation The Basics Connecticut’s healthcare market is consolidated into a few large health systems. Hospitals are merging with each other, and physician practices are joining the big systems. This concentration of providers has led to higher prices demanded by the growing monopolies, raising insurance premiums, closing critical services such as maternity and delivery care, more…

Connecticut Hospitals Basics Connecticut has 26 acute care hospitals that are regulated by state, federal, and non-governmental agencies. Hospitals are increasingly merging with each other and with provider practices into large health systems. These large health systems are raising the prices for care through market power, with no improvement in quality, and closing unprofitable services.…

Quality Basics Despite our high costs, the quality of healthcare in Connecticut is average, and it’s not improving. There is room to improve, especially in avoidable ED and hospital care, hospital readmissions, and community health centers. The significant variation between providers offers important learning opportunities to improve care. Connecticut has troubling disparities in healthcare outcomes…

Prescription Drug Basics Soaring prices for drugs are driving healthcare costs, making care unaffordable and forcing sacrifices for families and taxpayers. Pharmacy spending for Connecticut residents grew 9.9% from 2023 to 2024. Drug spending is driven by higher drug prices, not increased use of drugs. Drug companies are very profitable, more than other industries. Drug…