Bill > SB00003

This bill establishes the Connecticut Affordable Health Care Trust Fund, which will be managed by the State Treasurer and used to implement the Connecticut Option affordable health care program, designed to create more affordable health insurance coverage for eligible residents, particularly those with incomes up to 600% of the federal poverty level who may not qualify for existing subsidies. The bill also authorizes the creation of a Basic Health Program, which aims to leverage federal funding to provide affordable health insurance to individuals with incomes between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level who are ineligible for other medical assistance. To oversee these initiatives, a working group will be established, comprising various state officials, legislative leaders, and health care experts, to advise on program design and implementation. Additionally, the bill addresses hospital financial assistance programs to ensure uninsured patients with lower incomes receive care at reduced or no cost, and it modifies regulations concerning health insurance carrier review and benefit determination timelines to expedite processes and improve transparency for consumers. Finally, the bill includes provisions for interagency data sharing to streamline eligibility and enrollment for public assistance programs and establishes a safety net mitigation working group to address potential impacts of changes in federal law on state programs.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Human Services Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00003&which_year=2026