A last-ditch health-care reform bill passed the General Assembly at 2 a.m. today as the legislative session roared into its final day. Will the governor sign it?
The $49 million bill creates two health-related planning groups; raises income limits for Medicaid recipients and includes more people in the HUSKY program; automatically enrolls uninsured newborns; increases reimbursements to doctors and hospitals; and requires the Public Health Department to develop a statewide “electronic health information system.”
Click here for a copy of the bill and here for a copy of the Office of Legislative Research report and here and here for the Office of Fiscal Analysis reports.
The bill passed after a statewide lobbying effort. Click on the play arrow to watch a “video postcard” sent to legislators Tuesday. Advocates stood vigil outside the governor’s office (pictured at the top of this story) urging her not to let the session end without taking some action to address Connecticut’s health-care crisis.
Republicans criticized the way Democrats pushed the bill through on an “emergency certification” basis and before approval of the state budget. Democrats like New Haven State Sen. Toni Harp said the bill encompassed proposals that had been thoroughly studied and debated during the session.
The State Senate passed the bill 24 – 12 along party lines. Click here to read more about that vote.
The House passed the bill 96 – 46 after 45 minutes of debate. Two Democrats, including New Haven’s Bill Dyson, joined the Republicans in opposition. Click here to read about that debate and vote.
