Public
Health Initiatives
Connecticut's not-for-profit acute
care hospitals support measures that benefit and improve public
health, including proposals relating to organ and blood donation,
diabetes, and childhood and adult obesity, as well as other
initiatives to promote health and wellness, such as disease
awareness, prevention, and early detection programs.
As
part of its 2008
Legislative Agenda , CHA is working to:
- Develop
or support initiatives that benefit and improve the health
of Connecticut residents, including specific proposals relating
to organ and blood donation, diabetes, childhood and adult
obesity, or racial and ethnic health disparities.
Related
Resources
CHA
and seven other state hospital associations co-signed
a letter endorsing
the comments submitted
by the American Hospital Association (AHA) in response to
the National Health Information Network request for information
on how widespread interoperability of health information technologies
and health information exchange can be achieved through a
National Health Information Network (NHIN).
Related
Testimony
Monday,
March 21, 2005
HB
6908, An Act Concerning A Connecticut Clean Car Incentive
Program
CHA
submitted testimony in support of this bill, which would
establish incentives to encourage car buyers to select more
environmentally responsible vehicles. Click
here to view the testimony.
Monday,
February 14, 2005
SB
703, An Act Establishing A Uniform System For Distributing
Influenza Vaccines
CHA
testified in support of this bill, which would authorize
the Department of Public Health to adopt regulations specifying
a uniform policy for distributing and administering influenza
vaccines. The testimony specified that a uniform
system should be designed to deal with either a vaccine
shortage or a pandemic, and need not be implemented during
seasons during which an adequate amount of vaccine is available.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Monday,
February 14, 2005
HB
5871, An Act Concerning The Use Of Child Restraint Systems,
HB 6562, An Act Concerning Child Restraint Systems, and
HB 6660, An Act Concerning Child Restraint Systems
CHA
submitted testimony in support of these bills, which would
extend Connecticut's current booster seat weight criteria
from under 4 years and 40 pounds to include children up
to 60 pounds and 5 or 6 years, depending on the bill.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Tuesday,
February 8, 2005
HB
6631, An Act Concerning Childhood Obesity
CHA
submitted testimony in support of this bill, which would
authorize the Department of Public Health (DPH) to design
a program to reduce the prevalence of obesity in children
and adolescents.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Monday,
February 7, 2005
SB
52, An Act Concerning Restrictions On Motor Vehicle Operators
Sixteen Or Seventeen Years Of Age During The First Three
Months Following Licensure; SB 152, An Act Concerning Restrictions
On Sixteen Or Seventeen Year Old Motor Vehicle Operators;
SB 825, An Act Concerning Motor Vehicles Driven By Minors;
HB 5053, An Act Concerning Restrictions On Sixteen And Seventeen
Year Old Motor Vehicle Operators; HB 5446, An Act Concerning
Additional Training And Restrictions For Drivers Under The
Age Of Eighteen; HB 5467, An Act Concerning Amendment Of
The Graduated Motor Vehicle Operator's License Provisions;
and HB 5862, An Act Requiring Training For Youthful
Drivers
CHA
submitted testimony in support these bills relating to Connecticut's
graduated license program, which imposes limitations on
motor vehicle operators who are 16 and 17 years of age.
Click
here to view the testimony.
SB
721, An Act Requiring The Use Of Helmets By Motorcycle Operators
And Passengers
CHA
submitted testimony in support of this bill, which would
require all operators of and passengers on motorcycles to
wear protective headgear.
Click
here to view the testimony.
2004
Testimony
Thursday,
March 11, 2004
SB
564, An Act Concerning Auto Emission Standards
CHA submitted testimony supporting this bill, which would
require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to
implement low motor vehicle emission standards.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Tuesday,
March 2, 2004
SB
416, An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage For Interpreter
Services
CHA submitted testimony in support of this bill, which would
require that health insurers provide coverage for interpreter
services for hearing impaired individuals who are receiving
care covered by an insurance policy.
Click
here to view the testimony.
SB
418, An Act Concerning Universal Healthcare
CHA submitted testimony in support of this bill, which would
establish the Nutmeg Health Plan, a plan that would provide
universal coverage for Connecticut residents.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Monday,
March 1, 2004
SB
410, An Act Concerning Child Restraint Systems
CHA submitted testimony in support of this bill, which modifies
current law on booster seat weight criteria for children.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Tuesday,
February 24, 2004
SB
167, An Act Concerning The Purchase, Storage And Distribution
Of Flu And Pneumococcal Vaccines; SB 357, An Act Concerning
Childhood Obesity; HB 5407, An Act Concerning Notice Of
Organ Donation
Carrie Brady, CHA’s Vice President of Patient Care
and Regulatory Services, testified before the Public Health
Committee in support of these three bills.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Monday,
February 23, 2004
SB
119, An Act Concerning Clean Cars
CHA submitted testimony in support of this bill on automobile
emissions.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Friday,
April 11, 2003
SB
1164, An Act Concerning Quality Health Care For Connecticut
Citizens
CHA
submitted testimony on this bill, which would expand the
definition of "adverse event" and would require
physicians, in addition to hospitals and outpatient surgical
facilities, to report adverse events to the Department of
Public Health (DPH).
Click
here to view the testimony.
Friday,
April 4, 2003
HB
6141, An Act Concerning Drug And Alcohol Testing Of Motor
Vehicle Operators Involved In A Fatal Accident and SB 829,
An Act Requiring Alcohol Testing Of Drivers Involved In
Accidents Resulting In Death Or Serious Physical Injury
CHA
submitted written testimony on these bills, which would
amend the General Statutes to require obtaining blood or
breath samples from any surviving operator whose motor vehicle
is involved in an accident resulting in the death of another
person.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Tuesday,
March 4, 2003
SB
70, An Act Concerning Implementation Of A Disease Management
Initiative
CHA
presented written testimony supporting this bill, which
would begin the process of developing a coordinated plan
of care across the continuum of healthcare settings for
Connecticut Medicaid recipients.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Monday,
February 24, 2003
HB
597, An Act Allowing Physicians To Report Unsafe Motor Vehicle
Operators To The Department Of Motor Vehicles
CHA
presented written testimony supporting this bill, which
would clarify that physicians who report unsafe drivers
to the Department of Motor Vehicles have not violated patient
confidentiality requirements.
Click
here to view the testimony.
SB
276, An Act Establishing A Graduated System Of Motor Vehicle
Operator's Licensing For Persons Sixteen Or Seventeen Years
Of Age
SB
278, An Act Establishing A Graduated System Of Motor Vehicle
Operator's Licensing For Sixteen And Seventeen Year Olds
SB
281, An Act Increasing The Penalty For The Operation Of
Commercial Motor Vehicles On The Merritt And Wilbur Cross
Parkways
SB
821, An Act Establishing A Three-Phase Graduated System
Of Motor Vehicle Operator's Licensing For Teenage Operators
HB
5147, An Act Imposing Limitations On Licensed Motor Vehicle
Operators Who Are Sixteen Or Seventeen Years Of Age And
Increasing The Hours Of Behind-The-Wheel, On-The-Road Driving
Instruction
HB
5694, An Act Imposing Limitations On Licensed Motor Vehicle
Operators Who Are Sixteen Or Seventeen Years Of Age And
Increasing The Hours Of Behind-The-Wheel, On-The-Road Driving
Instruction
HB
5699, An Act Establishing A Graduated System Of Motor Vehicle
Operator's Licensing For Sixteen To Eighteen Year Olds
HB
5715, An Act Concerning Provisional Motor Vehicle Operator's
Licenses
HB
5716, An Act Restricting Sixteen And Seventeen Year Old
Motor Vehicle Operators
HB
6200, An Act Imposing Restrictions On Sixteen And Seventeen
Year Old Motor Vehicle Operator
SB
921, An Act Concerning The Operation Of Motorcycles And
Imposing Limitations On Licensed Motor Vehicle And Motorcycle
Operators Who Are Sixteen Or Seventeen Years Of Age
CHA
presented written testimony supporting all these bills,
which would impose a variety of limitations and restrictions
on teen drivers.
Click
here to view the testimony.
SB
603, An Act Requiring Booster Seats For Children Transported
In Motor Vehicles
CHA
presented written testimony supporting this bill, which
would extend current law to include children up to 8 years
or 80 pounds.
Click
here to view the testimony.
SB
81, An Act Requiring Motorcycle Operators And Passengers
To Wear Protective Headgear
CHA
presented written testimony supporting this bill, which
requires all operators of and passengers on motorcycles
to wear protective headgear.
Click
here to view the testimony.
Tuesday,
February 18, 2003
SB
921, An Act Concerning The Operation Of Motorcycles And
Imposing Limitations On Licensed Motor Vehicle And Motorcycle
Operators Who Are Sixteen Or Seventeen Years Of Age
SB
925, An Act Imposing Limitations On Licensed Motor Vehicle
Operators Who Are Sixteen Or Seventeen Years Of Age
CHA
presented written testimony supporting both these bills.
CHA's
testimony on these bills.
Friday,
February 7, 2003
SB
835, An Act Concerning Mental Health Services
SB
423, An Act Concerning Daily Data Collection On The Number
Of Patients With Psychiatric Diagnoses Held In Hospital
Emergency Departments
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care and Regulatory Services Carrie
Brady testified on both these bills.
CHA's
testimony on these bills
Tuesday,
February 4, 2003
HB
6363, An Act Concerning Medical Services For Women
CHA
presented written testimony in favor of this bill.
CHA's
testimony on this bill
SB
415, An Act Concerning A Study Of The Establishment Of A
Comprehensive Health Care Data System
CHA
presented written testimony in favor of this bill, which
mandates a study regarding the development of a comprehensive
healthcare data system.
CHA's
testimony on this bill
Thursday,
August 1, 2002
CHA
Submits Testimony at Field Hearing on Homeland Security
CHA
presented written testimony to the U.S. House Subcommittee
on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International
Relations, which held a field hearing on "Homeland Security:
Keeping First Responders First" on Tuesday, July 30, 2002,
at Norwalk Community College. The hearing was scheduled
by the Subcommittee's chairman, Representative Christopher
Shays.
Click here to view CHA's testimony
on "Homeland Security: Keeping First Responders First"
Wednesday,
July 21, 2002
CHA
Presents Testimony on EMS Declaratory Ruling
CHA
submitted testimony on the relationship between sponsor
hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS) providers
at the August 1, 2002, Department of Public Health (DPH)
Declaratory Ruling Proceeding.
Click here to view CHA's testimony.
Wednesday,
March 20, 2002
SB
604, An Act Concerning The Protection Of Medical, Pharmacy,
And Other Confidential Information
CHA
submitted testimony requesting that the committee amend
the definition of "authorized person" in this bill to exclude
healthcare providers.
CHA's
testimony on this bill is attached.
Monday,
March 18, 2002
SB
606, An Act Concerning Abuse In Health Care Facilities
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care Services Carrie Brady testified
in opposition to a bill that would broadly define abuse,
criminalize certain elements of health care delivery, and
increase the penalties on health care professionals.
CHA's
testimony on this bill is attached.
Tuesday,
March 12, 2002
HB
5706, An Act Concerning The State Laboratory
CHA
submitted testimony in support of the state issuing $50
million in bonds to be used by the Department of Public
Health (DPH) for the purpose of building and locating a
level 3 public health laboratory at the University of Connecticut.
CHA's
testimony on this bill
SB
547, An Act Concerning the Destruction Of X-Rays
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care and Regulatory Services Carrie
Brady testified in opposition to a bill that would require
physicians and other providers to notify a patient prior
to destruction of the patient's x-rays.
CHA's
testimony on this bill
Thursday,
March 7, 2002
SB
445, An Act Concerning the Department of Social Services
Payments For Hospital Inpatient, Outpatient, Mental Health
Services And Community Mental Health Services
CHA
Vice President of Finance and Insurance Services Steve Frayne
testified in support of CHA's proposal to increase Medicaid
reimbursement to hospitals. This bill is a key component
of CHA's legislative agenda.
CHA's
testimony on these bills
HB
5557, An Act Concerning The Prevention Of Teenage Suicide
CHA
submitted testimony supporting this bill. CHA and its member
institutions support the Committee's efforts to address
the tragedy of teenage suicide.
CHA's
testimony on this bill
Wednesday,
March 6, 2002
SB
417, An Act Imposing Limitations On Licensed Motor Vehicle
Operators Who Are Sixteen or Seventeen Years Of Age And
Increasing The Hours Of Behind-The-Wheel Driving Instructions
CHA
testified in support of the bill, which would reduce injuries
and deaths.
CHA's
testimony on this bill.
Tuesday,
March 5, 2002
SB
415, An Act Concerning Preventing Deaths From Drug Overdose
CHA
testified in support of a bill that would create a report
on statewide drug overdose trends and an education program
on drug overdoses.
CHA's
testimony on this bill
SB
99, An Act Establishing A Spinal Cord Injury Research Board
And Spinal Cord Injury Research Account
CHA
testified in support of the bill, which would increase spinal
cord injury research and awareness.
CHA's
testimony on these bills
Friday,
March 1, 2002
SB
26, An Act Concerning Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol
and HB 5371, An Act Concerning Operating A Motor Vehicle
While Under The Influence Of Intoxicating Liquor
CHA
submitted written testimony supporting both bills. CHA strongly
supports any effort that will result in fewer drunken drivers
on Connecticut roads.
CHA's
testimony on this bill.
Thursday,
February 28, 2002
SB
249, An Act Increasing Appropriations To The Department
Of Children And Families To Expand Mental Health Services
To Children
CHA
submitted testimony in support of increasing appropriations
to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to add
additional inpatient child psychiatric beds, establish two
child psychiatry crisis intervention units, and develop
a child psychiatric tracking system.
CHA's
testimony on this bill.
Tuesday,
February 19, 2002
HB
5291, An Act Concerning Department Of Public Health Disciplinary
Action Regarding Hospitals
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care and Regulatory Services Carrie
Brady testified in opposition to the expansion of Department
of Public Health's (DPH) enforcement powers to include the
power to impose civil penalties.
HB 5024, An Act Merging The Office Of Health Care Access
Into The Department Of Public Health
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care and Regulatory Services Carrie
Brady expressed CHA's concerns on the merger of the substantive
functions of the Office of Health Care Access (OHCA) into
DPH.
SB 212, An Act Concerning Late Or Missing Data And The
Office Of Health Care Access
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care and Regulatory Services Carrie
Brady testified in opposition to the proposal to allow OHCA
to refuse to accept a Certificate of Need (CON) application
if a facility has failed to submit any data to OHCA or has
submitted incomplete data.
SB 5155, An Act Concerning Temporary Assistance During
Periods Of Emergency Or Disaster
CHA
Vice President of Patient Care and Regulatory Services Carrie
Brady testified in support of this bill, which facilitates
emergency assistance from healthcare professionals from
other states in times of disaster.
HB 5154, An Act Concerning A Study Of The Reduction Of
Hospital Data Collected Concerning Pricing And Rates Of
Reimbursement and HB 5156, An Act Concerning A Study
Of Hospital Finance And Data Reporting To The Office Of
Health Care Access
CHA
submitted written testimony on the above titled bills, which
propose studying the implications of eliminating certain
statutory reporting requirements of hospitals. CHA testified
that it would work cooperatively with OHCA and the Public
Health Committee to reduce any unnecessary regulatory burdens
on hospitals.
CHA's testimony on these bills is attached.
SB
187, An Act Concerning Electronic Monitoring Of Controlled
Substance Prescriptions
CHA
submitted written testimony expressing concerns over the
significant costs that will be required to implement the
electronic monitoring provided for in the bill.
CHA's testimony on this bill.
Tuesday,
February 15, 2002
SB
92, An Act Concerning Zoning Requirements For Residents
With Psychiatric Disabilities
CHA
submitted testimony in support of the Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) proposal to structure
zoning requirements to allow DMHAS to increase the availability
of residential care services.
CHA's testimony on this bill.
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