You asked for brief summaries of 2007 bills addressing comprehensive health care reform.

sSB 1—AN ACT CONCERNING THE HEALTHFIRST CONNECTICUT INITIATIVE (PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE, JFS TO FLOOR-MARCH 26)

A brief section-by-section summary is attached.

SB 3—AN ACT CONCERNING INCREASED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE THROUGH THE HUSKY PROGRAM (HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, JF TO FLOOR- MARCH 22)

This bill expands access to public health insurance by making a number of changes in the HUSKY, Medicaid, and State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) programs. Specifically, it:

1. increases HUSKY A (Medicaid) coverage for caretaker relatives,

2. eliminates never-implemented cost sharing requirements for HUSKY A recipients,

3. restores continuous eligibility for children enrolled in HUSKY A or B,

4. requires the Department of Social Service (DSS) to increase the HUSKY A income limit for pregnant women,

5. requires the DSS commissioner to establish a fee schedule for services provided to all children enrolled in HUSKY,

6. requires all Medicaid providers to be reimbursed for services at the same rate Medicare pays,

7. enhances the state's HUSKY outreach efforts, and

8. requires DSS to increase the income limit for SAGA medical assistance and seek a federal waiver to convert the program from a fully state-funded to Medicaid funded program.

SB 70—AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NUTMEG HEALTH PARTNERSHIP INSURANCE PLAN (INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE, JF TO FLOOR- MARCH 8, FILE 106)

This bill establishes the Nutmeg Health Partnership Insurance Plan which:

1. creates tax credits for certain small employers who provide employees health insurance for three consecutive years,

2. increases the dependent children coverage eligibility age,

3. adds a classification insurers and HMOs may consider when developing premium rates for small employer health insurance policies,

4. permits the insurance commissioner to approve individual health insurance policies or certificates that contain minimum benefits,

5. permits the commissioner to approve group health insurance policies and certificates for employees not eligible for employer-sponsored coverage that do not comply with state benefit mandates, and

6. permits the comptroller to provide health insurance coverage to uninsured individuals through the Municipal Employee Health Insurance Plan (MEHIP).

SB 1127—AN ACT CONCERNING THE CHARTER OAK HEALTH PLAN AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS (HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, JF CHANGE OF REFERENCE TO APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE-MARCH 22)

This bill establishes the Charter Oak Health Plan to provide access to health insurance coverage for state residents who have been uninsured for at least six months and are ineligible for other publicly-funded health insurance plans. The bill authorizes the DSS commissioner to enter into contracts for providing comprehensive health care for this population. DSS must impose cost-sharing requirements under the Charter Oak Health Plan, such as monthly premiums, annual deductibles, coinsurance and tiered copayments for prescription drugs. DSS must also provide premium assistance to eligible residents whose gross annual income does not exceed 300% of FPL.

Under the bill, the DSS commissioner can contract with (1) HMOs, (2) a consortium of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other state-funded community-based providers funded, or (3) other consortia of providers established for purposes of the bill.

The bill also includes disclosure requirements concerning contracts between DSS and managed care organizations providing services under the HUSKY Plan or the Charter Oak Health Plan.

sSB 1371-AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONNECTICUT SAVES HEALTH CARE PROGRAM (INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE, JFS TO FLOOR- MARCH 13)

This bill establishes the Connecticut Saves Health Care commission and program. It requires the commission to provide affordable health insurance policies to certain state residents, determine covered benefits and cost-sharing requirements, set terms for reinsurance coverage, improve quality of care, reduce health care spending, establish enrollment and premium collection procedures, educate residents on the program and important public health matters, promote information technology use, and adopt regulations. It creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate the program and report to the legislature.

It requires DSS commissioner to (1) screen every program-eligible person for HUSKY eligibility and (2) apply for a Medicaid waiver to use federal funds for certain individuals not currently HUSKY eligible. The bill increases HUSKY income eligibility limits.

The bill requires DPH to expand the state's network of school-based health clinics (SBHCs), establish primary care clinics, adopt regulations regarding the SBHCs and clinics, and publish “Plans for a Healthy Connecticut. ”

sHB 6158-AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN (SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN, JFS CHANGE OF REFERENCE TO HUMAN SERVICES-MARCH 6; HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, JF-MARCH 15)

This bill makes several changes in the HUSKY insurance program for children by (1) increasing the HUSKY B income limit, (2) requiring expedited HUSKY B enrollment of uninsured newborns, (3) requiring DSS to increase the amount it pays HUSKY A and B providers, (4) requiring DSS to do additional HUSKY outreach, and (5) requiring DSS to develop a preventive health care system for children enrolled in HUSKY.

sHB 6652-AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT HEALTHY STEPS PROGRAM (INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE, JFS TO FLOOR, MARCH 13)

This bill establishes the Connecticut Healthy Steps Program, which consists of numerous health insurance requirements, tax provisions, HUSKY program changes, and public health initiatives. It establishes a Health care Reform Commission, the Connecticut Connector, a commission on Healthy Lifestyles, a health savings account incentive program, and a premium subsidy program.

sHB 7314-AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PURCHASING POOL PROGRAM (LABOR AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES COMMITTEE, JFS TO FLOOR -MARCH 15)

This bill establishes the State Health Insurance Purchasing Pool Program (SHIPP) and requires state residents to enroll in it if they are under age 65 and do not have employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. The bill requires the state comptroller to contract with insurance companies and HMOs to provide insurance policies for SHIPP. She must also administer all aspects of the program. It creates a sliding scale of premium contributions for enrollees. It requires that the comptroller collect fees from all employers equivalent to 11% of their payroll and adopt regulations specifying the procedures and standards for collecting the fees.

The bill also requires the DSS commissioner to (1) screen every program-eligible person for HUSKY eligibility and (2) apply for a Medicaid waiver to use federal funds for certain individuals not currently HUSKY-eligible. It also increases HUSKY income eligibility limits.

sSB 7375-AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND EXPANSION OF THE HUSKY PROGRAM (HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, JFS TO FLOOR, MARCH 20)

This makes changes to the HUSKY program as follows:

1. increases the HUSKY A (Medicaid) income limit for caretaker relatives;

2. increases the income limit for subsidized HUSKY B coverage;

3. extends transitional Medicaid coverage from one to two years;

4. repeals never-implemented cost sharing requirements in HUSKY A;

5. restores continuous eligibility in HUSKY A and B;

6. requires DSS to increase reimbursement rates to HUSKY and other Medicaid providers;

7. requires DSS to do additional outreach for HUSKY; and

8. requires the DSS commissioner, in consultation with the DPH commissioner, to develop a preventive health care system for children enrolled in HUSKY.

JK: dw