Insurers cited the end of enhanced federal ACA subsidies as the reason for rate hikes. But Congress was ready to pass a 3-year extension.
prescription drugs
Health care reform bills face uncertain future as end of session nears
Momentum surrounding a public option bill and a prescription drug proposal has slowed. Here’s why.
Lamont unveils plans to reduce cost of health care, cap price of prescription drugs
The plan includes an annual assessment on insurance carriers to fund additional subsidies on Connecticut’s insurance exchange, Access Health CT.
Lawmakers rally support for wide-ranging drug bill
The sweeping drug bill includes several provisions aimed at capping or lowering the price of medications.
Insulin bill would cap monthly supplies of drug at $50
The measure is more aggressive than similar efforts in Illinois and Colorado, which capped insulin costs at $100 per month.
Best of 2019: In a short session, lawmakers eye prescription drug proposals
In every town Sean Scanlon visited this summer and fall, residents complained about the high cost and availability of prescription drugs.
Advocates want to recycle CT’s wasted prescription drugs. The state says it’s already doing that.
Social service advocates were hoping to change a state law so they could funnel unused prescription drugs to the uninsured. But a 20-year-old, little-known program is scuttling their plans.
In a short session, lawmakers eye prescription drug proposals
In every town Sean Scanlon visited this summer and fall, residents complained about the high cost and availability of prescription drugs.
With outlook bleak for public option, lawmakers shift to new 2020 health care agenda
As hopes for public option dim, lawmakers move to a health care reform agenda that has bipartisan support.
Prescription drug bill advances to House
The bill seeks to lower the cost of prescription drugs in Connecticut, a frustration for seniors, the uninsured, and people on high-deductible plans.
Drug prices keep rising despite efforts to address problem
Some days, the inflammation and pain from rheumatoid arthritis makes it almost impossible for Tracy Braun to even sit up. “Sometimes I can’t even get up on my own,” she said. Braun is among a growing number of Americans who are finding it difficult to afford needed medicines, and a solution to their problem in Washington D.C. may continue to be elusive.
As opioid deaths soar, Esty backs bill that pays for more medical examiners
U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty Tuesday said she will propose legislation that will provide $10 million for police forensics and to help pay for more medical examiners. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is currently on provisional accreditation status because it has too few examiners to meet current demand.
Clock ticking on a bipartisan scramble to curb drug costs
With only two weeks left in the legislative session, a Democratic lawmaker and the state comptroller are feverishly working to bring to the House floor proposed legislation that is considered Connecticut’s most comprehensive effort so far to control high prescription drug costs.
New GOP and Dem budgets would still cut Medicare Savings Program
While Democrats and Republicans both want to blunt the looming roll-back of a program that helps disabled and low-income elderly in Connecticut pay for medical care, their plans will still cut off tens of thousands who’ve come to rely on it.
CT budget cuts program that helps low-income and disabled Medicare patients
The two-year, bipartisan state budget signed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy this week will cut Medicaid help for at least 68,000 Connecticut seniors and disabled individuals, a change decried by doctors and health care advocates in the state.