Federal cuts
Risk to CT hospitals from Medicaid cuts varies significantly
The federal budget bill, HR-1, will cause significant cuts across Connecticut’s healthcare landscape. Much of the cuts will fall on hospitals, but the burden will not be shared equally. A new analysis by Third Way estimates that statewide, Connecticut hospitals will lose $378 million annually over the next ten years due to federal Medicaid cuts.…
Read MoreCTNJ: CT needs to prepare for impending surge in uninsured care
Next year, we may look back fondly on the uninsured numbers released Tuesday estimating 26.7 million Americans were uninsured last year. Like the rest of the US, Connecticut’s uninsured rate fell significantly a decade ag, making it old news. Other healthcare issues have taken over the spotlight. But federal budget cuts will soon put the…
Read MorePrescription Drugs chapter in CT Healthcare Explained updated
We’ve updated the Prescription Drugs chapter of CT Healthcare Explained. The update was prompted by new state law, the experience of Medicare price negotiation, changes to federal expert committees that advise regulation, and Trump administration efforts to lower prices. CT Healthcare Explained is our explainer website cutting through the complexities of our state’s healthcare system.…
Read MoreHUSKY changes coming — Caregivers keep your coverage
Under federal Medicaid budget cuts, starting in January over 300,000 HUSKY Part D members will have to be working or qualify for an exemption. The most common reason given by Connecticut Medicaid recipients for not working is that they are caring for family. Caregiving is an exemption to Medicaid work requirements, but many will not…
Read MoreVT rejects troubling federal AHEAD changes, CT still considering it
Vermont, one of the first two states scheduled to implement the federal AHEAD model has withdrawn from the program. State officials stated, “Vermont originally pursued the model when it was launched in 2023 as an opportunity to strengthen our health care systems. However, new policy and operational guidance to bring Vermont in alignment with other…
Read MorePublic comment posted on Medicaid work reporting requirement rule
Today, the CT Health Policy Project submitted public comment on the federal proposed rule to implement Medicaid work reporting requirements. We are concerned about the rule for several reasons. Many thanks to Health Equity Solutions and Connecticut’s legal aid programs for assistance with drafting these comments. For more on the work requirements, see our updated…
Read MoreAnalysis: Questions missing in the Lamont-Elliot debate
In Wednesday’s debate, the only one we’ll get, between Connecticut’s Democratic candidates for Governor, there were no questions about healthcare. None. Affordability is a top priority for voters, and the staggering cost of healthcare is a big part of their anxiety. These are some questions I would’ve asked, and I’ll even give the candidates my…
Read MoreCT joins 24 other states suing CMS over Medicaid work requirements
Twenty five states, including Connecticut, and the District of Columbia, have filed a lawsuit againstagainst the federal Medicaid administration (CMS) for going beyond the language of the law (HR-1) that imposed work requirements on 300,000 HUSKY Part D members. Medicaid provides healthcare coverage to Connecticut’s most fragile residents, easing both health and economic frailty. That’s…
Read MoreUpdated again: HUSKY and work requirements – Incorporating the new federal rule
Updated June 30, 2026 to include states’ lawsuit Download the update corrected version with revisions highlighted Download a clean version of the update To incorporate new federal regulations, we’ve again updated our paper with recommendations for implementing federal changes and cuts to Connecticut’s Medicaid program that become effective January 1st of next year. This version…
Read MoreCTNJ: Federal Medicaid Rule Hard For Caregivers, Worse For Their Frail Patients
The 387-page regulations came out earlier this month, telling states how to implement the scary, new federal Medicaid work requirements. The regulations came with both a curious contradiction and a surprise for states that had been working with federal regulators. The new regulations on who is exempted from work requirements to keep their healthcare coverage…
Read More