WASHINGTON – A rare bipartisan deal has been reached on one of the most contentious issues in Congress, the Affordable Care Act. It includes restoration of key payments to insurance companies that President Donald Trump cut off last week. Connecticut’s Democratic lawmakers hailed the agreement, but it may run into trouble from conservative Republicans who don’t want to shore up Obamacare.
Lamar Alexander
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT’s Wade weighs in with Obamacare fixes
As a key U.S. Senate panel continues to seek a bipartisan fix for the Affordable Care Act, the Connecticut Insurance Department weighed in with its suggestions, including allowing people to buy a new, cheaper, “copper-level” plan with fewer benefits and higher out-of-pocket costs.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Senate tries for a bipartisan compromise on Obamacare fixes
WASHINGTON — A Senate panel began on Wednesday the first of four hearings aimed at finding ways to shore up the Affordable Care Act’s fragile insurance markets, but reforms could be limited and come too late to help Connecticut’s marketplace, Access Health CT.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Senate kills school accountability rule
WASHINGTON – The Senate on Thursday voted to overturn a key regulation that places tougher accountability measures on schools — measures backed by civil rights groups and those who advocate for disabled children. Sen. Chris Murphy said the move to kill the regulation was a GOP rejection “of a bipartisan rule that assured that civil rights are protected.”
Posted inHealth, Politics
Murphy mental health bill wins big bipartisan support – after some changes
WASHINGTON — A key committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to send a mental health bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy to the Senate floor, but not until certain provisions were dropped.
Posted inEducation
Senate saves Perkins student loan program
WASHINGTON– The nation’s oldest student loan program, which had expired in September, has been temporarily revived by the Senate. The Perkins loan program was available at most of Connecticut’s four-year colleges and has helped thousands of students in the state.
Posted inHealth
Senate tackles mental health care reform
WASHINGTON — A Senate panel took up the issue of mental health care Thursday, discussing legislation promoted by Sen. Chris Murphy to overhaul the system, an unusual move since Congress hasn’t tackled comprehensive reform in decades.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Congress shuts loan program that helps thousands of CT students
WASHINGTON – Congress may have averted a government shutdown, but failed to prevent the demise of the nation’s oldest student aid program, known as the Perkins loan. Thousands of Connecticut students use this program to help finance their education.
Posted inNews
With Murphy’s support, Senate moves forward on education overhaul
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan compromise that would shift control of some key education issues from the federal government to the states unanimously cleared a key committee Thursday.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT lawmakers push to update Equal Pay Act
Washington – Paying men more than women for the same job was outlawed 50 years ago, but the issue has become one of the most divisive in an already balkanized Congress.