As state officials condemned a ruling by a Texas federal judge that strikes down the Affordable Care Act, Connecticut’s exchange — Access Health CT — announced Saturday it would extend the 2019 signup period by another month.
Ana Radelat
Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.
Posted inPolitics
Senate votes to end U.S. involvement in Saudi war with Yemen
WASHINGTON — In a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump, the U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a resolution co-sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy that would withdraw American military assistance for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
Posted inHealth
Enrollments strong in Conn as Obamacare signup deadline looms
The deadline for signing up for insurance on Connecticut’s Affordable Care Act’s marketplace is midnight Saturday, and enrollment in Obamacare in the state is matching last year’s pace.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont skips governors-elect meeting with Trump
WASHINGTON – Connecticut Gov.-elect Ned Lamont, a Democrat, declined an invitation tendered to all the nation’s new governors to meet with President Donald Trump Thursday to discuss a number of ways the federal government could help their states. Lamont was too busy with the transition to travel to Washington D.C., his spokeswoman said.
Posted inNews, Politics
Murphy’s Yemen measure advances as lawmakers seek tougher sanctions on Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Murphy inched closer to victory Wednesday in his longstanding campaign to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen as the Senate took a historic vote to begin debate on a measure that would end that relationship. Other lawmakers want to go further and end arms sales to the kingdom as punishment for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Posted inPolitics
Congress approves farm bill that rejects food stamp cuts, helps CT dairy farmers
WASHINGTON – Congress approved a new farm bill Wednesday that rejects President Donald Trump’s plan to impose work requirements on food stamp recipients, allocates billions of dollars in subsidies to American farmers, and provides new help to Connecticut’s vulnerable dairy industry.
Posted inPolitics
Esty says farewell to Congress in final speech
WASHINGTON– Rep. Elizabeth Esty gave her last speech on the U.S. House floor on Tuesday, saying “Congress was not my dream, but making a difference was.” Esty has represented the 5th congressional district since 2013, but decided against running for re-election.
Posted inHealth
Shingles vaccine scarce in Conn. shortage to continue
A new vaccine to protect against a painful disease known as shingles is a victim of its own success and nearly impossible to find in Connecticut and many parts of the United States. Although the vaccine’s maker, GlaxoSmithKline, says it has stepped up production of Shingrix, shortages are expected to continue through next year.
Posted inNews
As Trump faces heat, he lashes out at Blumenthal
WASHINGTON – As one of the toughest critics of the president, Sen. Richard Blumenthal has drawn more fire from Donald Trump than almost anyone in Congress. Political analysts say there’s good reason for the enmity – and that it’s not likely to end.
Posted inPolitics
Esty prepares to leave Congress — and politics
WASHINGTON – Many lawmakers who will retire at the end of this Congress or have lost re-election have shuttered their offices and gone home. Not so Connecticut Democrat, U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. While she is determined to work to the last moment, without an office or staff, Esty says she’s done with politics.
Posted inJustice
Gun control advocates optimistic new Congress will act on their agenda
WASHINGTON – Every year gun control activists from Newtown gather here to condemn congressional inaction on legislation they think will keep Americans safe. This year the mood at the gathering was quite different as gun control advocates are counting on the support of new members who ran — and won — on gun control and helped flip the U.S. House to Democratic control..
Posted inEducation
Murphy takes aim at U.S. News and World Report’s college rankings
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Murphy is tussling with U.S. News and World Report over the publication’s popular college rankings, arguing that enrollment of low-income and minority students are not given enough weight. The magazine responded Tuesday, saying it did not have the data to do what Murphy – and other Democratic senators – are suggesting.
Posted inNews
IG report: Coast Guard Academy retaliated against whistleblower who reported racial bias
WASHINGTON – Federal investigators determined the Coast Guard Academy in New London retaliated against a black, female officer after she complained she was bullied and harassed. The academy is also under congressional investigation for allegations of racial discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Posted inPolitics
Bush honored at funeral services in Washington
WASHINGTON – Work in Congress was halted on Monday as the body of former President George Herbert Walker Bush arrived here as part of funeral services that will be held throughout the week. Connecticut’s lawmakers plan to be among those who honor the nation’s 41st president this week.
Posted inHealth
Blumenthal wants FCC to prove 5G wireless technology is safe
WASHINGTON – Sen. Richard Blumenthal is leading a campaign to determine whether new “5G” wireless technology is safe. He is asking the federal government for proof the cutting edge radiofrequency does not pose health risks – including cancer .