Beneficiaries, Advocates Criticize Connecticut Gov. Rell’s Proposed Changes to HUSKY
Proposed changes to Connecticut's HUSKY A program could lead low-income state residents to drop health coverage or delay needed medical care, which could lead to higher costs for the state in the future, according to critics of the plan, the Hartford Courant reports. Gov. Jodi Rell (R) has proposed requiring many HUSKY A beneficiaries to pay premiums to save the state an estimated $18.1 million over two years. Rell also has proposed requiring most Medicaid beneficiaries whose income is above the federal poverty level to contribute copayments of between $0.50 and $5.70 to save an estimated $19 million over two years.In addition, Rell has proposed eliminating all but emergency dental coverage for adult Medicaid beneficiaries, which would save the state an estimated $50.7 million over two years; eliminating non-emergency medical assistance to documented immigrants who have been in the U.S. less than five years, which would save the state an estimated $48.1 million over two years; and raising eligibility requirements and reducing coverage for prescription drug programs.
Critics of the changes point to studies that suggest even modest copays or premiums can reduce beneficiaries' access to care. Sheldon Toubman, an attorney with the New Haven Legal Assistance Association, said, "For very low-income people, it starts becoming a choice of things like food and medication," adding, "The consequence of that, if they forgo treatment, is that a significant number of those people are going to end up in emergency rooms, and then you've blown many, many years worth of savings."
Jeffery Beckham, a spokesperson for the state Office of Policy and Management, said that the proposed changes are in line with other states' Medicaid programs and most of the proposals would affect beneficiaries above a certain income level. State officials also say that the proposal maintains funding for an anticipated enrollment increase in state health insurance programs without increasing most eligibility standards (Levin Becker, Hartford Courant, 2/17). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
