(HARTFORD, CT) – Tanya Barrett, MS, LPC, NCC, senior vice president at United Way of Connecticut’s 211 division, and Dan Keenan, JD regional vice president of advocacy and government relations for Trinity Health of New England, understand how systems work and also understand the need for complex systems to continually evolve to meet changing demands. As the newly appointed co-chairs of the Connecticut AHEAD Advisory Committee, they will help policymakers and healthcare providers design and implement new approaches to deliver and fund high quality health services and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
“We have an opportunity to lead in a time of great uncertainty,” said Barrett. “We know that some parts of our healthcare system are not optimal. Our current fee for service structure has created an environment where too many people struggle to afford care and access can be a challenge. This program offers CT a path to providing better care, and a chance to involve community organizations like the ones 211 works with the opportunity to truly contribute to improving health.”
“I believe the AHEAD model confronts these issues intentionally and incentivizes outcomes,” Barret added. “This model is worth testing with the right safeguards in place to protect patients and providers. Our committee is eager to dive into this work and play a role in shaping its success from thoughtful implementation to real-world adaptability. We look forward to working with policymakers and healthcare leaders to strengthen our system.”
Connecticut AHEAD is part of a federal demonstration project established by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as the States Advancing and Development model (AHEAD). Connecticut is one of six states selected to participate in the model, which focuses on increasing investment in primary care, providing financial stability for hospitals and enhancing connections to community resources for patients.
“I look forward to the opportunity to work with stakeholders from across Connecticut to explore the opportunity with the AHEAD model. The model aims to advance health equity and improve population health outcomes through reduction of avoidable hospitalizations, increased care coordination between hospitals, primary care providers, and specialists, and address health-related social needs,” said Keenan. “Though many questions remain to be answered, collaboration and the shared learning experience could help to advance our shared goals of improving health, healthcare outcomes, health equity, fair payment, and affordability.”
The Connecticut AHEAD Advisory Committee will help shape development of the model and encourage voluntary participation by hospitals and primary care providers in program components administered by the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS) and Department of Social Services (DSS). “Tanya, Dan and all of the members of the advisory committee, bring diverse experience and perspective and a shared vision of affordable, accessible, high-quality healthcare for Connecticut residents,” said Andrea Barton Reeves, JD, DSS commissioner. “Their support of this work demonstrates a remarkable level of community investment.”
“CMS has indicated to Connecticut and other participating states that the AHEAD model will move forward,” said Deidre S. Gifford, MD, MPH, OHS commissioner. “We have momentum here in our state and have recently welcomed Katie Wunderlich to the Connecticut AHEAD team. Katie led the State of Maryland through the development and implementation of a similar model and will, in her consulting role, help us benefit from lessons learned in that state.”
Connecticut AHEAD is supported by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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