Health Equity Basics Health outcomes are not equal across Connecticut populations. State residents of color, women, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities have greater challenges remaining healthy. Researchers estimate that only 16% of health outcomes are related to clinical care, while socioeconomic factors and health behaviors are the majority contributors. Social determinants…

Reform Basics Much effort is going into reforming Connecticut’s and the US health system – to improve quality and control costs. Efforts are focused on improving the delivery of healthcare to be more effective and patient-centered, as well as payment reforms to control rising costs. Despite much effort, few reforms have demonstrated success and they…

Insurance Basics Health insurance covers the costs of medical care, after the patient pays their share through copays, deductibles, and/or coinsurance. Insurance in Connecticut is expensive, driven up by high prices for drugs and care from huge health systems. Federal and state laws require insurance plans to cover essential medical care, and the state regulates…

Healthcare Costs Basics Healthcare costs are rising more quickly than incomes, in Connecticut as for the rest of the US. Total healthcare costs per person in Connecticut are higher than the US average but are comparable to similar states and are growing less quickly. Medicare leads the state in per person cost growth. Despite spending…