WASHINGTON — The path to 50 votes for an Obamacare replacement bill seemed to narrow dramatically Thursday as efforts to craft a quick compromise foundered — but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has $200 billion to build a bridge to victory. His dealmaking may be just beginning.
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Posted inHealth, Politics
Malloy: Senate bill would cost CT billions, end health care for thousands
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate’s health care bill would result in “devastating” Medicaid cuts to Connecticut, reaching $2.9 billion per year by 2026 and stripping tens of thousands of state residents of health care, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday. “Plain and simple — the Senate Republican version of Trumpcare is a greater disaster for the people of Connecticut…and needs to be stopped in its tracks,” Malloy said.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Federal auditors say 22 million additional uninsured under Senate health bill
WASHINGTON — Federal auditors determined the Senate plan to replace and repeal the Affordable Care Act would result in 22 million additional uninsured people by the year 2026. Opponents like Sen. Chris Murphy, who called the bill a “humanitarian catastrophe,” seized on the Congressional Budget Office analysis as new ammunition in their fight to kill the legislation.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Prolonged CT budget standoff will hurt towns, disabled, needy
A prolonged state budget fight inevitably would force cuts both to town aid and to social services for the most vulnerable, even though those programs would be prioritized, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget director said.
Posted inHealth, Money
Malloy stands by pledge to aid Planned Parenthood despite cost
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is maintaining his commitment to fully fund Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood in Connecticut if the federal government ends its financial support as part of the Republican plan to dramatically reshape the Affordable Care Act, a spokeswoman said.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems slam Senate health bill that endangers state’s Medicaid expansion
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s senators blasted the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but will sit on the sidelines as their divided Republican colleagues try to hash out final details of a “discussion draft” released Thursday. The bill would continue some Obamacare subsidies to help people buy insurance, but could eventually force Connecticut to cut Medicaid coverage for many.
Posted inHealth
Health care providers endorse call for sales tax increase
Health care providers joined social services advocates Tuesday to again urge broadening the state sales tax and adding other revenue sources rather than making big cuts in the upcoming budget.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Dems — including CT’s senators — plan to disrupt Senate over health care plan
WASHINGTON — Democrats, with the help of Connecticut’s senators, plan to jam up the Senate this week to bring attention to Republican attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care act. Meanwhile Connecticut Republicans are crying foul over Democrats attempts to save Obamacare.
Posted inHealth
Vulnerable Access Health keeping an eye on other states
With Connecticut’s health insurance exchange teetering — with just two insurers left and neither yet committed for 2018 — the exchange’s board is beginning to watch innovations being considered in other states, including a single-payer system and Medicaid-for-all.
Posted inHealth
Health insurers skewered for again seeking double-digit rate increases
The stakes are even higher this year because the state Insurance Department’s final decision on the rate requests will influence whether the two remaining insurers on Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, Access Health CT, return in 2018.
Posted inHealth
18,000 now use medical marijuana in CT
The Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) Board of Physicians recommended seven new conditions this year to the 22 already approved for treatment with marijuana.
Posted inHealth
If insurance market breaks, can lawmakers put it back together?
In his high-stakes strategy to overhaul the federal health law, President Donald Trump is threatening to upend the individual health insurance market with several key policies. But if the market actually breaks, could anyone put it back together again?
Posted inHealth
Wade may be fined for withholding records on Aetna-Humana merger
In a proposed ruling, a Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission hearing officer has determined the Insurance Department failed to prove the records were exempt from disclosure and has recommended a rare civil fine against Commissioner Katharine Wade. The commission is scheduled to consider the case June 28.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT, other states taking steps to try to save Obamacare
WASHINGTON — With uncertainty threatening the Affordable Care Act, states including Connecticut are making attempts — some more extensive than others — to keep insurers in their health care exchanges.
Posted inHealth, Justice, Money, Politics
Pot legalization is latest issue debated, then tabled
The House of Representatives debated the legalization of recreational marijuana use for 90 minutes late Tuesday afternoon, only to table it afterward.