The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is gaining ground in the fight against heart attacks. That’s according to Sacramento HeartScan, which offers the CT coronary calcium score for the early detection and prevention of heart disease.

February 1, 2007 – 7:07 pm | posted in Health Insurance, Public Health

Some Massachusetts leaders and lawmakers expressed concern that members of Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector, the agency responsible for overseeing the state’s health insurance law, have salaries averaging $111,000 per year, the Boston Globe reports. Under the law, all state residents must obtain health insurance by July 1 or pay penalties. The Connector’s office comprises 22 staff members, and an unpaid 10-member board oversees the agency. Employees are paid through a $25 million appropriation from the state Legislature, but eventually will be paid indirectly by insurance companies through a surcharge on health plan premiums. Some community members say the Connector’s employees are too well compensated. Twelve of the 22 staff members earn more than $100,000 annually and six have salaries greater than the governor and his Cabinet secretaries. Jon Kingsdale — the Connector’s executive director, who earns $225,000 annually — determined agency salaries. Connector Director of Public Affairs Richard Powers said the salaries reflect “each individual’s ability, experience and responsibilities.” John McDonough, executive director of Health Care for All and a former state representative, said, “Compared to what people make in state government, these salaries are high, but not compared to what comparable people make in a commercial insurance world. If they didn’t pay these salaries, I don’t believe they would be getting the quality people they need to do this highly complex operation.” David Tuerck, executive director of the Beacon Hill Institute, said, “The cost of the salaries will be part of the cost of insurance,” adding, “The Connector was created to take the cost off budget and put it onto the insurance companies. I would describe (the surcharge) as a disingenuous attempt to mask the cost of health care reform.” Several lawmakers said they did not intend to create a new, high-cost bureaucracy with the law. State House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, an architect of the law, said, “I am going to call in the director and find out where they’re spending the money.” He added, “We don’t want administrative costs to be too high. We want the money spent efficiently” (Estes, Boston Globe, 1/27).

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