In Connecticut, the release of the state’s inaugural Healthcare Cost Growth Benchmark Report has confirmed the urgent need for reforms to make medical care more accessible and affordable. This groundbreaking report, the first of its kind in the state, quantifies the growth of healthcare costs and provides a framework for policymakers to identify areas of opportunity to reduce the burden of costs on patients.
The report reveals how the state’s healthcare costs have increased in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue in 2021 and beyond. Notably, the report found that Connecticut healthcare expenditures have grown at an average annual rate of 4.9%, significantly exceeding the national average of 3.5%. Additionally, the report found that the total amount spent on healthcare in Connecticut reached an all-time high in 2020, hitting $25.5 billion.
Given the alarming rate of cost growth, the report recommends a number of reforms that would help make healthcare more affordable in the state. These include increased transparency regarding hospital and pharmaceutical costs, a more comprehensive system for tracking spending, and more comprehensive oversight of the healthcare system as a whole. The report also advocates for the implementation of a public option program, which would provide an additional layer of competition in the healthcare market and help to drive down costs.
The report’s findings and recommendations are a clear indication that Connecticut must take action to make healthcare more affordable. As healthcare costs continue to climb, it is essential that the state take steps to ensure that patients are not shouldering the burden of rising costs. With the right reforms, Connecticut can make medical care more accessible and affordable for all.