Arielle Levin Becker

The state budget gets most of the public attention, but the Malloy administration has another major project to tackle this year: creating a health insurance marketplace known as the exchange. “The exchange is a cornerstone of health reform,” said Jeannette DeJesús, the governor’s special advisor on health care reform. “The exchange is a very significant […]

The SustiNet proposal, which would create a state-run health insurance plan, cleared the Insurance and Real Estate Committee Thursday by a 9 to 7 vote. The bill would create a public health insurance option called SustiNet by joining state-funded insurance pools under one authority, then allowing municipalities, small businesses, nonprofits and, ultimately, the public to […]

Roderick L. Bremby, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s pick to run the state Department of Social Services, has worked for more than 20 years in government, implemented new technology systems and served on the board of the authority that runs the Kansas Medicaid program. On Tuesday, as Malloy introduced him, Bremby emphasized another credential not listed […]

Physician groups on Tuesday blasted a decision by lawmakers to remove a medical liability protection provision from the proposed SustiNet bill, and some doctors suggested that it could undermine the effort to create a state-run health insurance plan. “It wouldn’t shock me if we come out actually in opposition to the bill,” said Dr. David […]

The proposal to establish the SustiNet state-run health insurance plan cleared its first legislative committee Monday, receiving approval to move forward from the Public Health Committee by a 16-10 vote. The current version of the bill is a work in progress and will likely be amended as it moves forward. It will now go to […]

Aetna is in the health insurance business, but as an employer, it’s not immune to the rising costs of health care. So the company uses wellness programs to encourage its workers to improve their health and health plans designed to make them more aware of the costs. Employees pay less for medications to treat chronic […]

With the labor contracts for 69 nursing homes set to expire this month, state health officials are preparing for the possibility of a large-scale strike. Representatives for both sides say the negotiations are in the early stages and no strike plans are imminent. But because so many contracts are in play, state officials are taking […]

The state Department of Social Services has received approval to hire 26 retired workers on a temporary basis to process food stamp applications. The food stamp program has come under fire after federal officials warned that the state could face financial sanctions if it does not improve its performance significantly. Connecticut has one of the […]

The governor’s budget includes a cut in the dental services adults with Medicaid could receive. But to the Connecticut State Dental Association, which fought against proposals in recent years that would have eliminated the services entirely, it’s still a victory of sorts. “Given the budget circumstances and the financial times that we find ourselves in, […]

Suzette Strickland’s job helping people apply for food stamps sometimes includes explaining to clients why the state caseworkers handling their applications don’t return phone calls, even after 20 messages. “It’s not that they won’t call you back. They can’t,” Strickland, the food stamp program manager for End Hunger Connecticut, said she and her colleagues tell […]

The Malloy administration says it’s fully committed to health reform, with work underway to meet the requirements of last year’s federal reform law and capture as much federal money as possible. But Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is taking a more cautious approach when it comes to SustiNet, the proposed state-run health plan that has in […]

Connecticut wrongly denies food stamps to eligible residents at a higher rate than any other state. It ranks among the worst in the nation in processing food stamp applications on time and paying out accurate levels of benefits. And federal officials warn that without a “tremendous turnaround,” the state could face significant financial sanctions. Starkowski: […]

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the search has been narrowed down to “a couple of prospects” to replace Department of Social Services Commissioner Michael Starkowski, one of three department heads reappointed on an interim basis in December. During a press conference to announce his appointment of Judge Lubbie Harper Jr. to the state Supreme Court, […]

NEW HAVEN–Not long ago, leaders of the state’s community health centers were busy renovating facilities, hiring staff and expanding hours to treat more patients, bolstered by millions of dollars in government funding and the likelihood of getting millions more. Now they’re bracing for potential cuts in federal and state aid and adjusting to a new […]

Many hospital officials are still calculating the fallout of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed budget, but those that have done the math say it deals them a big hit. The budget calls for taxing hospitals and cutting the funding hospitals receive for treating uninsured and underinsured patients. The Malloy administration says the potential losses will […]