Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

House passes bills capping insulin costs, permitting broader telehealth services

  • Health
  • by Jenna Carlesso
  • July 23, 2020
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Yehyun Kim :: CT Mirror

Rep. Dan Fox, D-Stamford, waits for his turn to speak during the special session on Thursday at the state Capitol.

The state House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed two health measures Thursday, one that would cap the monthly cost of insulin at $25 for people on state-regulated health plans and another that extends broader telehealth services in Connecticut through next winter.

The bills now head to the Senate, where a vote is planned for Tuesday.

“We can’t just go back to normal when it comes to health care because ‘normal’ was not working for most before the pandemic and it certainly won’t after,” said Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, a key supporter. “These bills are a great first step in the direction of a new normal for health care.”

The insulin bill would cap 30-day supplies of the drug at $25. A previous version – raised last winter – would have limited the monthly cost to $50, but other states have since passed a $25 cap, inspiring legislators to consider stronger price controls. The cost of insulin-related supplies, such as syringes, pumps and blood sugar meters, would be capped at $100 a month, and the price of other glucose-lowering medication would be limited to $25 per month.

The bill also includes a provision giving pharmacists the authority to dispense insulin without a prescription in emergency situations. That initiative was modeled after an Ohio effort known as Kevin’s Law, which permits pharmacists to give patients a 30-day supply of a lifesaving drug like insulin even if the prescription has expired.

In addition, the measure would create an income-based program for people unable to afford insulin, similar to legislation adopted in Minnesota.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 142-4. It would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

Rep. Tom Delnicki, a Republican from South Windsor, said recent public hearings on the insulin proposal brought up bad memories. His late mother was a Type 2 diabetic.

“She dealt with the ravages of diabetes,” he said. “And she wasn’t rationing her insulin. I can only imagine what it must be like for a family where they have a loved one who is having to ration their insulin, because I know the troubles and the problems.”

“This is not the end all and be all,” Delnicki said of the measure. “I look at it as a step in the right direction.”

Yehyun Kim :: CT Mirror

Deputy Speaker Christopher Rosario leads a discussion at the state Capitol Thursday.

The telehealth bill passed unanimously Thursday, with many legislators calling the service critical during the coronavirus crisis.

Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order early in the pandemic loosening restrictions on telemedicine appointments, which became vital as COVID-19 kept patients away from doctors’ offices. His order allows health care providers and patients to communicate over a broader range of platforms, including audio-only phone calls. Under the mandate, a greater variety of health care professionals can also conduct the visits, from behavioral therapists to dentists.

The audio-only calls are considered crucial for people who don’t have an internet connection or video calling devices.

Lamont’s order is set to expire in September, however.

The legislation adopted Thursday embeds those changes into state law through March 15, 2021. A previous version of the bill would have extended the services through June 30, 2021, but lawmakers said they are optimistic about returning to the Capitol next winter and will review the issue then.

The measure also ensures payment parity, meaning insurers would have to pay providers the same amount for a telehealth visit as they would for an in-person appointment. The House voted 145-0.

“The intent is to maintain access to this for the time that we are not in session,” Scanlon said. “When we returned here – God willing – in January of next year, we can evaluate whether or not we want to continue this and make it permanent.”

Several legislators spoke in favor of the proposal.

Rep. Jeff Currey, a Democrat from East Hartford, said he recently learned he has Stage 5 kidney disease and is in need of a transplant. He was able to conduct a lengthy initial appointment with doctors at Hartford Hospital over Zoom, a video conferencing program.

“It was one of the most personal experiences that I’ve been able to go through,” he said. “It was absolutely no different than sitting in front of them face to face. You felt the emotion, you felt the care and you knew that you’re getting top notch service.”

Rep. Gary Turco, a Newington Democrat, said residents in his community have advocated for extending the service.

“I’ve heard from a lot of my constituents that need access to telehealth services who are worried about COVID,” he said. “They have health conditions where they’re able to get good, adequate, sufficient treatment … through a telehealth service and don’t need to go in person right now, where they’re putting themselves at risk.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Carlesso is CT Mirror’s Health Reporter, focusing on health access, affordability, quality, equity and disparities, social determinants of health, health system planning, infrastructure, processes, information systems, and other health policy. Before joining CT Mirror Jenna was a reporter at The Hartford Courant for 10 years, where she consistently won statewide and regional awards. Jenna has a Master of Science degree in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and a Bachelor or Arts degree in Journalism from Grand Valley State University.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Restaurants and other business can go back to full capacity on March 19 as Lamont rolls back COVID restrictions in CT
by Mark Pazniokas and Jenna Carlesso

Connecticut will eliminate COVID-19 capacity limits on restaurants, houses of worship, retailers and most businesses on March 19.

1,500 Hartford school staff to be vaccinated this week at pop-up clinic
by Adria Watson

Vaccinations are taking place Thursday and Friday. A second round will be scheduled in coming days.

With billions in federal relief on the way to CT, legislators assert their role in deciding how to spend it
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas

With an unusual bill, state legislators are reminding Gov. Ned Lamont they have significant role in disbursing federal coronavirus relief.

How does the public option bill differ from Gov. Ned Lamont’s health care plan? Here’s a look at the two proposals.
by Jenna Carlesso

With the rising cost of care a central issue this legislative session, lawmakers and Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration have each moved ahead with their own plans aimed at driving down prices.

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wins vacant Senate seat
by Mark Pazniokas

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, won a special election to the state Senate.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The public health bill no one is talking about, but should be
by Brian Festa

On February 16,  the legislature's Public Health Committee conducted a public hearing on two bills, S.B. 568 and H.B. 6423, both of which would eliminate the religious exemption to mandatory vaccinations for Connecticut schoolchildren.  The hearing was capped at 24 hours, depriving nearly 1,500 members of the public who had registered for the hearing their opportunity to be heard.  The vast majority of those who did testify, and who submitted written testimony, opposed the bill.  The committee is expected to vote on the bill as early as  today. 

Opinion Students need more resources, fewer officers
by Tenille Bonilla

"School resource officer" is just a nice way to say cop. But what students really need is more resource and less officer.

Opinion The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

Opinion How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO