In 2007, we commissioned nonpartisan Connecticut-focused research and awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to organizations and activities. These efforts promise to define Connecticut’s health care future.

It is widely recognized that our health care system is in crisis and that quality, affordable health care for everyone is urgently needed.

In 2007, Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut witnessed a groundswell of support for a movement to fix the state’s broken health care system.

The momentum is unstoppable.

From the state capitol and chamber meetings to parks and town forums, people across the state turned out to speak out for quality, affordable health care choices for everyone in our state.

Business and faith leaders, health care providers, labor and other organizations joined residents across the state to find common ground in the search for solutions to the health care crisis. The Foundation was proud to support and serve as a catalyst for many of their efforts.

In 2007, we commissioned nonpartisan Connecticut-focused research and awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to organizations and activities. These efforts promise to define Connecticut’s health care future.

Our research on the economics of health care continued to inform the public and influence our state’s health care reform debate. Although several promising opportunities for health care reform died in committees, some noteworthy steps were taken. Most notably, the Legislature created two health care panels to find a viable plan for universal health care.

We urged that Connecticut’s health care reform proposals be evaluated against the principles outlined by the Institute of Medicine. The IOM is a group of some of the nation’s leading doctors and scientists. The state panels will make their recommendations at the end of 2008.

The Foundation awarded grants to support community-based and regional organizing efforts by business, health advocacy, labor and other groups highlighted on the pages in this report.

In May, their activities culminated in an outdoor rally in Hartford’s Bushnell Park attended by more than 5,000 residents from across the state. Called “Stand Up For Health Care,” the rally, held under the shadow of the state capitol’s gold dome, underscored voters’ urgent demand for universal health care.

It's the right thing. It's the smart thing. Now is the right time to get it done. And the people of Connecticut are leading the way!

Juan A. Figueroa, President