The outlook for the state’s finances remains “generally positive” one-third of the way into the new fiscal year, Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo reported Friday. In his latest monthly budget forecast, Connecticut’s chief fiscal watchdog projected a modest, $11.2 million surplus for the fiscal year that ends next June 30. That represents just 1/15th of 1 […]
Connecticut finances stay modestly in the black
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CT exchange’s first month: 7,615 people enrolled, 53 percent in private coverage
In its first month, Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange, enrolled 7,615 people in health care coverage, according to figures released Friday. Of those, 53 percent — 4,065 — have signed up for private insurance plans. The other 47 percent are signed up for Medicaid. In addition, 55 small businesses have signed up […]
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UConn students file federal lawsuit over university’s handling of sexual assaults
Four students from the University of Connecticut today filed a federal sex discrimination lawsuit in Hartford against the university for how it handled complaints of their rapes and sexual assaults both on campus and while one student studied abroad.
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DSS clients could get wrongly dropped from Medicaid, food stamps, advocates warn
On the first day of October, Abigail Egan, Plymouth’s human services director, got 40 phone calls from people who had been dropped from state-administered social service programs. She’s bracing for the same thing Friday. Egan and legal aid attorneys worry that many state residents could wrongly lose Medicaid, food stamps and other benefits at the […]
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Wall Street generous to CT lawmakers’ campaigns
Washington – Wall Street has stepped up its contributions to most politicians, including those in Connecticut’s congressional delegation. Although Washington and the financial industry have always had a close relationship, political contributions from the securities and investment sector have increased over the past decade to the point that they are one of the top five […]
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Bridgeport parents ask state to investigate district’s handling of special education
A group of Bridgeport parents has filed a complaint with the state about the district’s “systemic failure” in educating students with disabilities. “In sum, [Bridgeport] failed to meet their obligation,” reads the 11-page complaint filed late last week with the State Department of Education. The complaint highlights the stories of six students and their parents, […]
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Congress considers permanent solution to Medicare doctor pay
Washington – A nightmare Connecticut doctors fear this time of year may soon be banished by Congress. It has nothing to do with Halloween, and everything to do with the “sustainable growth rate,” a formula approved by Congress in 1997 that was designed to curtail Medicare spending by cutting physician payments if the program’s costs […]
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Connecticut’s cash flow is better after $900 million loan
The state no longer needs the emergency credit line set up last winter to ensure it can pay its bills on time. But whether that means Connecticut’s finances are any better off was a matter of debate Thursday at the Capitol. One of the main reasons the state’s coffers are flush with cash is because […]
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Rally backs 7 UConn students who filed sexual assault complaint
Storrs — Just seven students have made a formal complaint against how the University of Connecticut responds to reports of sexual violence, but the number of speakers with their own stories to tell Wednesday appeared to indicate the problem is more widespread.
Posted inHealth
Medicare Part B premiums remaining level for 2014
Monthly premiums for Medicare Part B will remain stable in 2014 at $104.90 for most beneficiaries, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced this week. The premiums paid Medicare recipients with higher incomes — less than 5 percent of the beneficiaries — will also remain level in 2014.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Sebelius apologizes for Obamacare technical problems
Washington — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius apologized for the technical disasters plaguing the rollout of major provisions of the health reform law during several hours of questioning by members of a congressional panel Wednesday.
Posted inPolitics
CT GOP, Democrats joust over Malloy’s fundraising
The Connecticut Republican Party filed a complaint Wednesday accusing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of illegally soliciting a state contractor for a campaign contribution to the state Democratic Party while on a fundraising trip to California a week ago. But the GOP offered no evidence that the contractor made a contribution, much less that Malloy violated […]
Posted inHealth
CT exchange chief: Obamacare focus will turn to price, value
While much attention has been focused nationally on technological problems hampering the rollout of the federal health reform law, the head of Connecticut’s health insurance exchange said Wednesday that another issue is likely to become more prominent: Price.
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Federal hub crashes again, pulling down Access Health CT
Washington – For the second time since Sunday morning, the federal system that verifies identities and other personal information about Americans shopping for insurance on exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act has crashed. In a statement, Access Health CT, said it was informed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that the federal […]
Posted inEducation
UConn seeks to limit credits students can use from community colleges
Even as thousands of University of Connecticut students choose to take some of their courses at a community college or other universities, officials are proposing to limit the number of transfer credits students can use toward their degree.