EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE;

CURRENT ISSUES

1. Last week, Connecticut became the first state to begin vaccinating its health care workers against smallpox. Are you receiving the levels of cooperation and participation anticipated? Discuss your agency’s current smallpox vaccination procedures and plans, including plans submitted to the federal government. What are the next measures DPH plans to take regarding smallpox vaccinations? Are funding sources adequate?

2. Beyond the smallpox vaccination issue, describe other elements of the state’s bioterrorism response, including necessary legislation.

3. Please explain the department’s current regulatory and policy responsibilities concerning emergency medical services (EMS). What are some of the key EMS issues facing the department this session?

4. Last session, the legislature passed PA 02-125 (An Act Creating a Program for Quality in Health Care), which requires DPH to develop a quality of care program for various health care facilities, beginning with hospitals. Please comment on the implementation of this program thus far and planned future activities. Is the current budget situation affecting the ability of the department to implement this program?

5. What are some of the emerging issues related to the licensure, certification, and regulation of health care professions?

6. Discuss agency initiatives to address the nursing shortage.

ISSUES RELATED TO AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES

1. Please describe the mission of DPH. As commissioner, how do you ensure that the department meets its mission? Has the mission changed given the events of September 11 and the increasing concern over bioterrorism and the state’s preparedness?

2. How have state layoffs affected DPH? Do you anticipate further reductions in staff? Were any of these positions federally funded? Again, given the added responsibilities DPH faces in the post-September 11 environment, what adjustments have you made in regard to agency resources and personnel use?

3. A public health policy maxim is that good health policy decision-making depends on high quality health care data. Please describe the current condition and ability of DPH to collect, analyze, and use health care data in its day-to-day work. What limitations or barriers does the department face in this regard? Does DPH work, either formally or informally, with other state agencies (e. g. the Office of health Care Access) on data initiatives?

4. Are you anticipating any restructuring in the near future of DPH or of other agencies that will have an affect on DPH duties and responsibilities?

JK: eh