$50 million health coverage opportunity for CT from national health reform

CT can access $50 million in federal funds to cover state residents with pre-existing conditions until 2014 when insurers will no longer be able to exclude adults from coverage because they have health problems. Under the law, insurers are prohibited from excluding children with pre-existing conditions from coverage this year. Since 1975, CT has had a high risk pool to cover state residents who cannot get coverage in the private market, but premiums are very high and it has provided relief to only a small number of consumers. The new federal funding comes with several options for delivering the temporary coverage including starting a new program, building on the current program, or if we do nothing, defaulting to the national pool which is being developed in Washington. Governor Rell has until the end of this week to signal CT’s intentions.
Ellen Andrews