Affordable Care Act News and In-Depth Reporting

Aetna, Humana defend merger plans in court

by Ana Radelat December 5, 2016 @ 1:45 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:00 pm

Updated at 4:57 p.m.
WASHINGTON — Opening salvos were fired Monday in the antitrust case against the proposed merger of Aetna and Humana, with Justice Department attorneys arguing the tie-up would mean sharp price hikes for Medicare Advantage plans and a disintegration of choice for people purchasing insurance on Affordable Care Act exchanges.

Health

Insurance Department will seek to liquidate HealthyCT

by Arielle Levin Becker December 2, 2016 @ 12:35 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:59 pm

The Connecticut Insurance Department plans to seek a court order to liquidate insurer HealthyCT at the end of the year, after an appointed overseer’s report that the nonprofit company – created with federal funds made available through Obamacare – is insolvent.

Health, Politics

Aetna-Humana antitrust trial to have a different twist

by Ana Radelat December 2, 2016 @ 9:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:59 pm

WASHINGTON – As the first part of the antitrust trial on a proposed merger of Anthem and Cigna is wrapping up, a similar challenge to Aetna’s plan to merge with Humana will begin Monday. While both are the result of lawsuits to block the mergers filed by the Justice Department on the same day in July, the trials will be much different.

Health

With Obamacare’s future uncertain, CT exchange contemplates strategies

by Arielle Levin Becker December 1, 2016 @ 3:46 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:59 pm

One person likened it to looking at a “foggy crystal ball.” Another spoke of changing a tire on a car that’s still moving. But others cautioned against speculating and emphasized the fact that, so far, nothing about the Affordable Care Act has changed.

Health

A lot at stake for Connecticut as Trump, GOP eye Medicaid changes

by Arielle Levin Becker December 1, 2016 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:06 pm

Medicaid is Connecticut’s largest source of federal funding and the largest single line item in the state budget. It covers close to one in five state residents – more than 750,000 poor children, adults and people with disabilities. A major change in federal Medicaid funding is a big worry for the state’s budget director.

Health, Politics

CT business community on watch over ACA repeal effort

by Ana Radelat November 30, 2016 @ 12:20 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:05 pm

WASHINGTON — GOP plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act would affect individuals who’ve been purchasing their coverage on state exchanges or through the expansion of Medicaid the most, but some who receive their health care from their employers are also likely to be affected.

Health, Politics

CT Democrats blast Trump’s pick of Price to head HHS

by Ana Radelat November 29, 2016 @ 1:40 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:05 pm

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Democrats on Tuesday sharply criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Rep. Tom Price, the architect of the House GOP’s repeal of the Affordable Care Act, as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Health

‘We’re in limbo:’ For many in CT, Obamacare’s uncertain future is personal

by Arielle Levin Becker November 28, 2016 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:02 pm

The presidential election put Cindy Jalbert’s plans in limbo. She has type 1 diabetes and had been counting on the ability to buy insurance even though she has a pre-existing condition – something made possible through Obamacare. The uncertainty about the health law’s future has personal implications for many Connecticut residents. Some worry about the future of benefits they have come to rely on, while others are hopeful about the prospect of improving what they see as shortcomings in the health law.

Health, Politics

Insurers uncertain as Congress looks to repeal Affordable Care Act

by Ana Radelat November 23, 2016 @ 5:59 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:05 pm

WASHINGTON– Caught off guard by the political changes that make possible the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s insurers are hoping Congress will replace the health care law with something that allows them to stay in business – and even thrive. “The discussion right now about repeal and replacement is making the (insurance) market very, very nervous,” Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, a Democrat, said.

Health

Average Obamacare prices drop for those with subsidies, rise for others

by Arielle Levin Becker November 17, 2016 @ 2:45 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:01 pm

Exchange customers who signed up for 2017 coverage and get federal help discounting their premiums will save a couple of dollars each month compared to what they pay now. But for those who don’t qualify for financial aid, costs are rising an average of $76, and for some, that’s after switching to plans with less coverage.

Health

With Obamacare’s future in doubt, officials urge people to keep signing up

by Arielle Levin Becker November 9, 2016 @ 4:42 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:59 pm

Come January, the nation will have a president and Congress that have pledged repeatedly to repeal Obamacare. But in the meantime, there’s a sign-up period going on for people to buy coverage through the insurance exchanges created by the health law. So what happens now?

Politics

Trump agenda clashes with that of CT lawmakers

by Ana Radelat November 9, 2016 @ 4:20 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:59 pm

WASHINGTON – The day after Donald Trump’s stunning victory, Connecticut lawmakers said they would give the new president-elect a honeymoon period, but it may be short lived.

This is a picture of Access Health's New Britain store

Politics

As ACA faces new challenges, fixes not assured

by Ana Radelat October 28, 2016 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:04 pm

WASHINGTON — The Affordable Care Act is facing more challenges than at any time since its initial enrollment period in 2013, when the program was bedeviled by technical glitches. Besides rising premiums and fewer choices in Connecticut and elsewhere, there’s uncertainty a new Congress and a new administration will make fixes to the ACA that will improve its health.

Health

What you need to know for the 2017 Obamacare open enrollment

by Arielle Levin Becker October 25, 2016 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:02 pm

If you buy health insurance on your own, or plan to, your chance to sign up for 2017 coverage starts next week. Here’s what you need to know, whether you’re new to the process or buying again.

Politics

Blumenthal-Carter contest a quiet race in a stormy election year

by Ana Radelat October 20, 2016 @ 10:08 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:01 pm

WASHINGTON — While the odds that Sen. Richard Blumenthal will be re-elected are among the highest in this year’s U.S. Senate races, he’s also under constant fire from a Republican opponent, state Rep. Dan Carter, who has laid siege to the popular Democrat.

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