NEW BRITAIN–Dr. Lawrence Koch began practicing medicine in what he calls “the golden era.” For 27 years, he cared for patients in his private practice. But in the mid-1990s, as payment rates from Medicare and private insurers declined and paperwork increased, requiring more employees to handle it, Koch gave up ownership of his practice and […]

The fourth annual Connecticut Mission of Mercy will be held next weekend, and organizers expect the free dental clinic will serve more than 2,000 people. The clinic will be held Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Wilby High School in Waterbury. Dental services including cleanings, fillings, X-rays, […]

The state has received a $1 million federal grant to develop a system for coordinating care for seniors and adults with disabilities who are covered by both Medicaid and Medicare. People covered by both programs, known as “dual eligibles,” make up 19 percent of the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries but 58 percent of the program’s expenses, […]

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, the House budget chairman, is selling a plan to slash Medicaid costs as a boon to governors, who would receive a block grant for Medicaid with few strings attached. Ryan also would make Medicare voluntary and more expensive, raising the prospect of unininsured 80-year-olds. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is not buying. […]

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities began a radio advertising campaign today praising Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget, which maintains state aid to municipalities. “Unlike his colleagues from New York, New Jersey and across the country, Gov. Malloy refused to balance the state budget on the backs of municipalities and their residential and business property taxpayer,” […]

If there’s anyone who can stand to miss a paycheck or two, it’s a member of Congress. They are, generally speaking, a wealthy lot-the House and Senate each include dozens of millionaires, according to a tally by the Center for Responsive Politics. So the violins might not come out when lawmakers agree-as Connecticut Sen. Richard […]

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will name Terry Macy, the executive director of a non-profit that runs group homes, as the commissioner of developmental services today at 11:30 a.m., according to his press staff. CTNewsJunkie reported the appointment this morning. The choice was quickly applauded by Terry Edelstein, president of the Connecticut Community Providers Association: “Dr. […]

Political scientists say there are three main functions of political speech, David Fahrenthold says at the Washington Post: claiming credit for something, taking a position on an issue, or simply advertising, as when an elected official congratulates the local basketball team. To these, Harvard Prof. Gary King adds a fourth: taunting the opposition. King, an […]

The way we elect our President today is deeply flawed. And not just because a candidate can win the popular vote and lose the White House, as has happened four times already in U.S. history. Thanks to the way our current system operates, presidential campaigns now divide our country into states that matter and states […]

DANBURY — After the 16th of 17 scheduled town meetings on the budget, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday he’s not willing to increase his proposal of $1.5 billion in new taxes–but he might reconsider how the burden is shared. Even if concession talks with state employees fail and Malloy has to find another $1 […]

A proposal raising the age for starting kindergarten, rejected last month by the legislature’s Education Committee, is being considered again by another committee–but this time money may be attached to ensure poor children don’t miss out on early education. The move–originally proposed by the State Board of Education and now backed by many of the members […]

The administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy sent layoff instructions to agency heads today, another calculated reminder of the stakes if the administration and state employees fail to agree on $1 billion in concessions. The detailed instructions sent by Benjamin Barnes, the secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, follow by two days his […]

WASHINGTON–Even before House Republicans had finished unveiling their dramatic budget proposal for 2012, Sen. Joseph Lieberman sent out a congratulatory statement on the GOP budget chairman’s plan. Lieberman said he wanted to thank Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who on Tuesday unveiled a proposal to slash nearly $6 trillion from federal spending over the […]

File this one under the least anticipated proposals of the 2011 General Assembly session. The state’s largest trucking association is asking Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and lawmakers to impose an even larger diesel fuel tax hike on its members than originally proposed. But of course there’s a trade-off: The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut wants […]