Connecticut Plan To Expand Health Insurance To Adults Could Be Stalled

The Connecticut Senate Human Services Committee on Thursday voted to separate two health care proposals -- a move that Gov. Jodi Rell (R) says could delay the Charter Oak Health Care Plan by six months, the AP/Hartford Courant reports (AP/Hartford Courant, 3/13).

The Charter Oak Health Care Plan is designed to provide affordable health coverage for uninsured residents who do not have employer-sponsored coverage or qualify for other government-sponsored health programs. Health coverage would be available based on a sliding fee scale, with residents paying between $75 per month and $250 per month depending on income.

Under the proposal, the state would work "with representatives of major managed care providers" to develop a basic health insurance plan for uninsured residents between ages 19 and 64 that includes full prescription drug benefits, laboratory services and pre- and postnatal care, Rell said. Copayments for prescription drugs would be between $10 and $15, and diagnostic services would be available for 20% coinsurance. The state has allocated $11 million for fiscal year 2009 to subsidize the plan, which is expected to begin on July 1 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 1/7).

Rell also has proposed making changes to the state's HUSKY program, which provides coverage mostly for children, by moving beneficiaries into managed care plans. Both proposals would operate under a shared procurement arrangement, but lawmakers voted to separate the proposals, AP/Courant reports. Rell has threatened to veto legislation that could delay the creation of the proposed Charter Oak Health Care Plan (AP/Hartford Courant, 3/13).

Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork.org. Youcan view the entire Kaiser DailyHealth Policy Report, search the archives, and sign up for email deliveryat kaisernetwork.org/email. The Kaiser Daily HealthPolicy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The HenryJ. Kaiser Family Foundation.