Health care a hot topic in Hartford this week
By Rosana G. Ferraro |
The Connecticut legislative session began on Wednesday and here are some health care highlights – it’s still early in the session, so stay tuned for updates and opportunities for advocacy and action!
Governor Malloy’s budget announcements affecting health care
Monday, Governor Malloy discussed his proposals to address the current deficits in the 2018-2019 state budget and further in the future.
On the subject of the Medicare Savings Program, cuts that were supposed to go in effect on January 1, 2018, then delayed to July 1, 2018, will, in fact, go into effect on July 1, 2018. In other words, no change. Which means that roughly 113,000 seniors and people with disabilities will lose critical help they need to pay health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
- Article on health care issues in Governor Malloy’s final budget proposal
- Previous blog from us on the Medicare Savings Program
Health care a headline in the State of the State
At his State of the State on Wednesday, officially opening the legislative session, Governor Malloy discussed health care, including a state-based individual mandate and protecting women’s health. In the December 2017 GOP tax bill that passed, the individual mandate to have health insurance was repealed.
- WATCH State of the State (via CTN)
- READ TEXT from the State of the State (via Governor Malloy’s office)
- Article on the proposed Connecticut-based individual mandate (via CT News Junkie)
Connecticut Democrats include health care in their agenda
Senate and House Democrats jointly released a Democratic Values Agenda that includes health care issues, including protecting coverage of the 10 Essential Health Benefits, women’s preventive services, and no-cost contraception coverage, addressing rising prescription drug costs and support for community hospitals.
- The Democratic Values Agenda (PDF, via CT House Democrats)
- Article on the Democratic Values Agenda (via CT Mirror)
We’ll be keeping a close eye on legislation that addresses these issues from both sides of the aisle — and ways your voice can be heard at the Capitol!