Mental health and substance abuse treatment providers say they’re planning to limit access to programs if a proposed $25.5 million cut to grant funding goes through. A recent analysis by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services says even with more insured clients, the providers will only be able to make up a fraction of the proposed grant cuts. But the governor’s budget director said funding those grants is “a luxury that we can’t afford right now.”
Health
Stories about health care access and affordability in CT, as well as abortion, COVID, health equity and disparities, health systems and social determinants of health.
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Posted inHealth
Delphin-Rittmon promoted to lead mental health department
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has named a clinical psychologist with experience working in state and federal mental health agencies to lead the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Posted inHealth
The special Obamacare sign-up period: What you need to know
The deadline to sign up for private insurance under the federal health law this year is long past, but some state residents who are currently uninsured will have a 30-day window to sign up for plans during April — if they meet certain criteria. Here are the details.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT official: VA’s failure to share data hurts vets at risk of prescription abuse
WASHINGTON — Connecticut veterans are escaping the notice of a state program aimed at combating prescription painkiller abuse, an epidemic among those veterans; and the federal government’s Department of Veterans Affairs is to blame, a state official says.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Medicare fees to drop sharply as Senate falters on ‘doc fix’ bill opposed by CT senators
Updated at 10:43 a.m. Friday
WASHINGTON – The Senate’s failure to act on a bill, opposed by Connecticut’s senators, means fees paid to doctors who treat Medicare patients will drop sharply at the end of the month. If Congress, which left on a two-week Easter recess, acts as soon as it returns, the government says it may be able to avoid the fee cuts.
Posted inHealth
ConnectiCare takes lead as most popular insurer on exchange
ConnectiCare Benefits Inc. was the most popular carrier among plans sold on the state’s health insurance exchange this year, capturing 42.3 percent of the 110,095 people who signed up for insurance through Access Health CT. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the state’s largest insurer and last year’s exchange leader, received 39.8 percent of signups.
Posted inHealth, Money
Medicaid rules prompt a $45 million state-federal disagreement
A $45 million hole in this year’s budget is the result of a disagreement between state and federal officials over how much the federal government should reimburse Connecticut for Medicaid spending for clients who became eligible under Obamacare.
Posted inHealth, Politics
With protest, legislators move forward governor’s human services budget cuts
The legislature’s human services committee voted to move forward Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed social services budget, but not before disowning the cuts within it and debating whether the way they handled the measure was a sufficient protest.
Posted inHealth, Money
Anti-smoking forces say cigarette tax hike is a no-brainer
As legislators and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy grapple with the unpleasant prospect of raising taxes, anti-smoking forces insist state officials are overlooking the only tax hike that yields huge benefits – and almost no public backlash.
Posted inHealth
Acting Commissioner Dowling leaving insurance department
Dowling previously served as deputy commissioner and ran the agency’s day-to-day operations while the previous commissioner, Thomas B. Leonardi, traveled extensively. She was considered a possible replacement for Leonardi.
Posted inHealth
Behind The Numbers podcast – Episode 3: The changing climate for CT hospitals
Connecticut Mirror Budget Reporter Keith M. Phaneuf discusses hospitals with Mirror Health Care Reporter Arielle Levin Becker.
Posted inHealth, Money
Tax hike ideas abound at the Capitol
Now that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s campaign pledge not to raise taxes is in the political rearview mirror, the Democratic governor’s political base is seeking to widen the tax debate in hopes of averting some painful spending cuts. Higher income-tax rates on the wealthy, restoration of the capital gains levy, an extra $1.50 per pack on cigarettes and expanding sales taxes on business are among the ideas circulating at the Capitol.
Posted inHealth
Former Cigna lobbyist to lead insurance department
Katie Wade spent 21 years at Cigna, working primarily in government affairs positions. She will now lead a state agency that regulates what is by some measures the largest insurance industry in the nation.
Posted inHealth
Op-Ed: Connecticut needs transparency in health care
Without transparency of quality data and health care costs, patients cannot make informed decisions nor be fully engaged in their own health care.
Posted inHealth
The end-of-life debate
Should doctors be allowed to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients who request it? As Connecticut lawmakers consider the issue, scores of people weighed in Wednesday, with testimony that was often emotional. Here’s a recap of our live coverage.
