Well, here we are, two weeks into the New Year. Middletown saw a great kick off to the new year with Middnight on Main and many of us have made resolutions about how we’ll make this year better than the last. Unfortunately, too often we start the New Year with the best intentions, but end up failing to achieve our goals. One thing that can help us achieve our goals is getting together with a group of people all working…
Conversations speaks with Dr. Don Berwick, recent head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and a longtime advocate of patient safety and overhaul of the health care industry. Hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. Berwick about transforming health care for all Americans and his focus on the triple aim of better quality, better health, and lower costs in health care.
I was a social awkward youth, inexperienced in the ways of the world during my teen years which made high school a challenge. At the time, I didn’t realize how difficult it was for so many of my friends as well, but recently many of my old classmates have reconnected via Facebook and with a few more decades behind us, we’re speaking more openly and honestly about the trials of our teen years. Facebook can be a tool to help…
This time a year ago I was living just outside of Los Angeles. I was trying to get by, working as many part-time jobs as possible. Unfortunately, the hours weren’t enough so I had more free time than I would have liked. My apartment was within walking distance from a Starbucks, so I would walk there and sit outside with my computer and my dog. One day, I was sitting outside browsing job postings online when a woman named Suzzanne stopped me…
It is a rainy December evening, the longest night of the year. At least this year, it isn’t too cold. I’ve just walked back to the office after attending the Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service at The Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown, CT. The church was full; many homeless people, and many friends of the homeless. Earlier this week, a friend of mine died. He had a good job, a nice home, and loving family and friends. Many of…
This week, Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with health economist Dr. Gail Wilensky, Senior Fellow at Project HOPE and former Administrator of Medicare and Medicaid. Gail discusses the future of Medicare and Medicaid in the wake of the Affordable Care Act and how to make those services less costly and more patient-centered.