Working parents can keep HUSKY coverage

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The consensus state budget passed late yesterday includes full restoration of eligibility for current HUSKY parents. Over 13,000 working parents with incomes up to 155% of the federal poverty level ($32,209 this year) will keep coverage under the HUSKY program. Also in the budget is funding to cover out-of-pocket health costs for low income seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare. Those costs could be added back to the budget because the state took in over $1 billion in unanticipated extra taxes this year. Other bills we were watching that passed include 5384 which provides some transparency in drug pricing and the impact of rising costs on premiums, and 5210 which sets some ACA consumer protections in state law including coverage of essential health benefits, no-cost preventive care, and contraceptive coverage for fully-funded health plans.