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Connections

Coming up on Connections: Wednesday, January 16

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freeimages.com

First hour: The debate over new hospital pricing transparency rules

Second hour: Dialogue on Disability - An update on early intervention services in Monroe County

A new federal rule requiring hospitals to share rates for procedures and services is leading to debate. The rule requires hospital systems to post charges online in an effort to increase billing transparency, but some critics say the move will confuse consumers because those charges do not factor in insurance, other aid, and complicating factors. Those who support the rules say this is a step in the right direction in helping consumers make better-informed decisions about healthcare. What do you think? Who should be able to tell you how much medical procedures cost? Hospitals? Insurance companies? Our guests discuss these questions and more. In studio:

  • Tammi Imm, vice president of front end revenue cycle at Rochester Regional Health
  • Carrie Fuller Spencer, chief financial officer for Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals
  • Anna Ka, Rochester resident

Then in our second hour, we continue our Dialogue on Disability Week with an update on the state of early intervention (EI) services in Monroe County. In early December, county officials announced a temporary solution to what some local providers called a brewing crisis in EI services. A shortage in providers and funding would have led to about 1,200 children being waitlisted for programs, but the county has since allocated six Department of Health employees to coordinate intake services. Parents and providers say more support is needed. This hour, we look at the current state of early intervention programs and discuss how they benefit children in need. In studio:

  • Beth McLellan, early childhood administrator at the Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
  • Jason Zuch, speech-language pathologist at the Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
  • Diane Kozar, vice president of children’s programs and clinic at CP Rochester and Happiness House
  • Bridget Morgenstern, parent whose twin sons attend the Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.