Momentum surrounding a public option bill and a prescription drug proposal has slowed. Here’s why.
subsidies
Posted inHealth
CT, other Democratic states, to ask Supreme Court to reverse Obamacare ruling
“Connecticut will join its sister states in taking swift action to challenge this faulty and flawed decision,” said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.
Posted inPolitics
Congress approves farm bill that rejects food stamp cuts, helps CT dairy farmers
WASHINGTON – Congress approved a new farm bill Wednesday that rejects President Donald Trump’s plan to impose work requirements on food stamp recipients, allocates billions of dollars in subsidies to American farmers, and provides new help to Connecticut’s vulnerable dairy industry.
Posted inHealth
ACA enrollment begins as voters say health care is top concern
The sixth open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act begins Thursday, as the future of the health care law, and its protections for pre-existing conditions, has emerged as a top concern for voters across the nation in the midterm elections.
Posted inHealth
Access Health CT enrollment rose, along with premiums
WASHINGTON – A new federal report shows that enrollment in Connecticut’s Affordable Care Act marketplace increased this year, even as the cost of health insurance rose sharply. The report also said that 75 percent of those purchasing insurance through Access Health CT get federal help in paying for their premiums.
Posted inHealth
Murphy introduces ‘Medicare for more’ health plan option
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy on Wednesday introduced legislation that would allow individuals and businesses to purchase Medicare coverage. Murphy and co-sponsor Sen. Jeff Merkley say there’s little chance of immediate passage of the bill, but say there is a need for public discussion on ways to shore up the Affordable Care Act.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems say Trump ‘sabotaged’ ACA, ensuring rise in premiums
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday he will end payments reimbursing insurers for lowering out-of-pocket costs for the poorest Americans, provoking cries of Affordable Care Act “sabotage” from Democrats and ensuring health insurance rates will rise for many Americans next year.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems willing to compromise on Obamacare, Trump says let it fail
WASHINGTON — After the collapse of the GOP Senate health care bill, Sen. Chris Murphy said Tuesday he is willing to compromise, including allowing health plans on the individual marketplace that are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Federal auditors say 22 million additional uninsured under Senate health bill
WASHINGTON — Federal auditors determined the Senate plan to replace and repeal the Affordable Care Act would result in 22 million additional uninsured people by the year 2026. Opponents like Sen. Chris Murphy, who called the bill a “humanitarian catastrophe,” seized on the Congressional Budget Office analysis as new ammunition in their fight to kill the legislation.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems slam Senate health bill that endangers state’s Medicaid expansion
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s senators blasted the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but will sit on the sidelines as their divided Republican colleagues try to hash out final details of a “discussion draft” released Thursday. The bill would continue some Obamacare subsidies to help people buy insurance, but could eventually force Connecticut to cut Medicaid coverage for many.
Posted inHealth, Politics
With Obamacare at risk in CT, 73K could lose subsidies
WASHINGTON — Connecticut is among several states in danger of losing all of the insurers who participate in their Affordable Care Act exchanges – a move that would leave tens of thousands of state residents scrambling for coverage and ways to pay for it. Insurers say chaos in Washington, D.C., is to blame.
Posted inHealth, Politics
House GOP plans health care bill showdown next week
WASHINGTON — House GOP leaders hope to have another showdown over their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act next week, but the legislation may still lack the votes it needs for approval. And Democrats like Sen. Chris Murphy, who called it “a piece of garbage,” said changes aimed at broadening support for the bill have only made the legislation worse.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems say CBO report shows GOP health plan should be scrapped
WASHINGTON — As soon as the Congressional Budget Office released its long-awaited report Monday afternoon on the impact of the GOP’s American Health Care Act, Connecticut Democrats joined party colleagues in saying the analysis proved the health plan should be scrapped. The CBO estimated the American Health Care Act would result in 24 million Americans losing their health insurance.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Larson joins partisan fight as GOP struggles to advance health care bill
WASHINGTON – During a day of acrimonious partisanship over the future of America’s health care system, Rep. John Larson on Wednesday was among the Democrats who tried to alter and slow the progress of a bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Insurers quietly assessing GOP health plan’s benefits and pitfalls
WASHINGTON — The nation’s health insurers are weighing the GOP’s newly released bill to replace the Affordable Care Act, which contains things they wanted – and some things they may not like, but for now keeping their opinions to themselves. “If they are smart, they are going to remain silent and let the legislation take its course,” said Rep. John Larson, D-1st District.