(St@teside Published June 22, 2007)

Connecticut:

In an effort to expand access to public health insurance, the Connecticut legislature passed a health care reform bill in June 2007.  In addition to increasing Medicaid reimbursements for physicians and hospitals at an estimated cost of $151 million in 2008, Senate Bill 1484 makes a number of changes to the HUSKY (Connecticut's Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program [SCHIP]) program:

• Raises the income limit for HUSKY A (Medicaid) coverage for caretaker relatives from 150 percent  to 185 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) at a cost of $17 million in 2008;
• Expands HUSKY A coverage for pregnant women from 185 percent to 250 percent FPL, at an estimated cost of $3.5 million in 2008;
• Expands HUSKY B (SCHIP) coverage for children from 300 percent to 400 percent FPL at a cost of $6 million in 2008; and
• Requires automatic enrollment of uninsured newborns in HUSKY, and mandates that the state pay premiums for the first two months, at an estimated cost of $2.7 million in 2008.

Additionally, the bill establishes two new planning entities. The HealthFirst Connecticut Authority will recommend alternatives for affordable quality health care coverage for un- and underinsured people, cost containment measures, and insurance financing mechanisms. The Statewide Primary Care Authority will develop a universal system for providing primary care services, including prescription drugs, to all Connecticut residents.

Other features of the bill:

• Establish a board to oversee a network that integrates state and social services data within and across various departments. It gives authority to the Public Health Department to develop standards to facilitate the development of a statewide, integrated electronic health information system that will be used by health care providers and institutions funded by the state.
• Require the Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner to develop and implement a preventive health services system for children covered by HUSKY A and B. Also the DSS commissioner is charged with establishing a child health quality improvement program to promote implementation of evidence-based strategies by HUSKY providers.
• Extend (from age 23 to 26) the age to which group comprehensive and individual health insurance policies that cover children must do so.

Democrats estimate the bill will cost $62 million over two years after federal reimbursements, excluding the proposed provider rate increases. Republicans believe that the bill will actually cost $390 million over the next two years, including the proposed rate increases.

Governor Jodi Rell (R) is not expected to sign SB 1484 without a negotiated budget agreement. However, Democrats in the legislature believe they have "close to a veto-proof majority" and could override Rell's potential veto.