Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut

Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersMiddletown, Connecticut, United States
Chair
Laura McCargar
RevenueUS$1.47 million (2016)
ExpensesUS$1.3 million[1] (2016)
Websitewww.universalhealthct.org

Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut is an independent, nonprofit organization[2] The foundation supports the mission of its parent organization, CHART (Connecticut Health Advancement and Research Trust). As of 2008, the foundation had assets of approximately $30 million.[3]

History

In 1997, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Comptroller Nancy Wyman and a coalition of advocacy and labor organizations sued the for-profit Anthem Insurance Co. over its merger with the non-profit Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Connecticut. The aim was to recover tax benefits and other concessions that the former Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Connecticut had received. The lawsuit was dropped after Anthem Insurance agreed to a settlement in 1999. As a result, the state established the Connecticut Health Advancement and Research Trust.[citation needed]

It is one of about 165 foundations nationwide to be created by conversions of nonprofit health corporations to for-profit entities. As a condition of these conversions, the law requires that the assets of the nonprofit be retained for some public purpose.[3] The foundation received $41 million to carry out the conditions of the settlement. It was charged with working toward system-wide health care reform.[4]

The foundation was incorporated in 2000. It opened its first offices in New Haven, Connecticut. In January 2003, Juan Figueroa, a former Connecticut legislator,[5] became foundation president. In 2004, the foundation changed its name to reflect a final separation from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut. At the time, Figueroa stated that no relationship with Anthem existed.[6]

Since 2004, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in grants to organizations.[7] In 2007, the Hartford Business Journal chose Juan Figueroa as a 2007 "Health Care Hero".[8] Frances G. Padilla was appointed as the foundation president in 2012.[9]

SustiNet

In January 2009, the foundation announced SustiNet, a proposal for a statewide health care plan for Connecticut that would provide residents with their choice of health coverage and care regardless of their employment status, age, or pre-existing conditions.[10]

In the General Assembly's joint committees on March 26, the Public Health Committee voted 22–8 in favor.[11] On May 20, 2009, the House of Representatives voted 107–35 for SustiNet,[12] and on May 30, the Senate voted 23–12.[13] SustiNet was sent to Governor M. Jodi Rell, who vetoed it on July 8.[14] On July 20, the governor's vetoes were overridden by the Connecticut House of Representatives with a vote of 102–40 and then by the Connecticut Senate with a vote of 24–12.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, Inc" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  2. ^ "Black business group receives $40,000 grant". Waterbury Republican American. May 10, 2005.
  3. ^ a b "Why Not Connecticut". The American Prospect. April 21, 2008.
  4. ^ "Wyman, Blumenthal Announce $41 Million Settlement of Lawsuits Against Anthem Insurance Co. Inc" (Press release). Connecticut Attorney General’s Office. July 27, 1999. Archived from the original on 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  5. ^ "Public Lives; Memories of Paradise (Plus a Few Bombs)". The New York Times. May 9, 2000.
  6. ^ "New Haven, Conn.-based foundation splits from Anthem with Name Change". New Haven Register. July 28, 2004.
  7. ^ "The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, Inc., Promoting Health Care Access for All". Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  8. ^ "Health Care Heroes 2007". Hartford Business Journal. December 10, 2007.
  9. ^ "Staff & Board :: Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut".
  10. ^ "Hartford Hears Health Care Proposal". The New York Times. January 16, 2009.
  11. ^ "Health Plan Advances". Hartford Courant. March 28, 2009.
  12. ^ "Connecticut House Backs Universal Health Care Coverage". Hartford Courant. May 21, 2009.
  13. ^ "Senate Approves Two Controversial Healthcare Bills Saturday". Hartford Courant. May 30, 2009.
  14. ^ Christopher Keating (July 8, 2009). "Rell Vetoes Controversial Pooling and SustiNet Bills". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10.
  15. ^ Christopher Keating (July 20, 2009). "House and Senate Both Override Rell on Universal Health Bill". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on 2009-07-24.