Priority Issues - The Business Council of Fairfield County

Health Care Leadership Council

The Council concentrates on the issues of health, health care quality, access and affordability. It develops and publishes health metrics, conducts a communications and events program to raise awareness of health issues and options, hosts best practices exchanges among health care stakeholders, educates small business owners about health insurance options and conducts a public policy advocacy program.

Recent Reports

Business Council releases updated Connecticut Health Scorecard,
Dec 2007

Full report (1.7M pdf)

Scorecard Summary (pdf)

Business Council releases strategic plan to address health care worker shortage, Dec 2007 download the pdf

Need more info and data? Check out our Health Care Policy Resource Center >>

One Coast, One Future Health Industry Cluster Study

One Coast, One Future is a consortium formed by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and The Business Council of Fairfield County. The initiative is funded by a nearly $1,000,000 federal grant secured by Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT). Health Care is one of eight key objectives of the One Coast initiative's long-term plan. Read more about the initiative.

The 2007 Health Care Industry Cluster built upon the recommendations of the 2006 Cluster Study (see below). After an RFP selection process in the Summer of 2007, the consulting firm of Holt, Wexler & Farnham was chosen to further develop two critical components of the health care industry - health care workforce and wellness.

The Healthcare workforce crisis is already upon us and will get worse as Baby Boomers retire and enter their peak health care consumption years. Faculty shortages, lack of clinical placements, serious classroom constraints, inadequate student preparation, and lack of infrastructure to train the immigrant population have been identified as factors.

The Health Care Workforce Initiative will develop a strategic health care workers plan to strengthen the competitiveness of the One Coast, One Future Region (e.g. Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bridgeport, Darien, Derby, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, Wilton). The One Coast region has a strategic location and position within the New York City metropolitan area and is an important gateway between the Mid-Atlantic Region and New England. Read the report >>

The second component addresses the issue of wellness. Health care costs are squeezing everyone’s budgets, from the single parent family to the largest corporation, and every level of government. These costs are driven by a wide range of factors. While the best ways for our state and nation to provide affordable access to quality health care is the subject of intense debate, consensus exists on one core point: the ultimate goal of health care policy is health itself. A healthier population (or workforce, family or individual) is, in health care terms, a less expensive population.

Healthy Coast: Southwestern Connecticut Wellness Initiative will develop a pilot, collaborative program to reform the incentive structure, adjust medical practices, and engage employers to encourage wellness, prevention, and chronic disease for one or a limited number of selected health conditions in the One Coast One Future Region (e.g. Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bridgeport, Darien, Derby, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, Wilton).

The initial Health Care Industry Cluster Study, completed in December 2006, analyzed demographic and health industry trends to identify emerging and future health services needs.

Read more >>
Study (640kb pdf)
Key Findings and Recommendations (57kb pdf)
June 2007 Presentation (235kb pdf)

For more information on this initiative please contact Tanya Court at 203-359-3220 or tcourt businessfairfield.com.

This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA's funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

2007 Healthy Workplace Best Practices Recognition Program
Over 80 people attended The Healthy Workplace Best Practices Recognition on March 27. The Business Council's Health Care Leadership Council recognized the innovative health programs offered by 12 area companies who have not only reduced their health care costs, but have also offered their employees a variety of ways to keep them healthy. Read their winning submissions. (pdf)

Three of the recognized firms - Anthem, Reader's Digest Association and Xerox Corporation - shared their best practices and recent experiences in a panel discussion moderated by Christopher Bruhl, President & CEO, The Business Council of Fairfield County.

The Business Council of Fairfield County would like to thank UBS for their generous support of the Healthy Workplaces Best Practices Recognition Program.

The Business Council of Fairfield County
One Landmark Square, Suite 300
Stamford, CT 06901-2679
General Phone: (203) 359-3220
Fax: (203) 967-8294
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