Capitol Dispatch: Targeted Health Areas?

Rx FOR ACCESS?

Some lawmakers, together with the Connecticut State Medical Society, said they have just the prescription for medically underserved areas.

Lawmakers heard testimony on SB 405, proposed legislation that would let up to 10 communities be designated Targeted Health Areas. These would be areas that lack adequate access to health care or have a high rate of chronic disease. However, to make this work, $10 million in bonding is needed. In the current fiscal climate, that’s not a small side effect.

“Anything with a price tag over a dollar is a hiccup,” said State Rep. Chris Perone, a Democrat representing Norwalk in the 137th House District and a member of the Commerce Committee. 

The bill was introduced by State Rep. Jeffrey Berger, a Democrat representing Waterbury in the 73rd House District. As House Chair of the Commerce Committee, Berger unveiled details of the proposed bill with the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) last week.

The bill “is truly significant because it will allow physicians to focus their energy in areas where patients need them most while providing much-needed incentives to bring new physicians here ot practice,” CSMS President Dr. Michael M. Krinksy said in a press release.

Eighty percent of the state’s have fewer than five doctors, according to CSMS. 

The state Department of Economic and Community Development supports the bill's intent but opposes creating Targeted Health Areas. 

"The measures contained within are burdensome and would interfere with the agency's mission of business recruitment and retention. Furthermore there is no means to evaulate the performance of hte programs," said Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith in her testimony before the Commerce Committee.