Bill > HB05559

This bill establishes a Basic Health Program in the state, authorized under Section 1331 of the Affordable Care Act, to expand affordable health coverage options for residents. The program is designed for "eligible individuals," defined as state residents under 65 whose household income is between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level, who are not eligible for other state medical assistance programs, and who would otherwise qualify for a health plan through Access Health Connecticut, the state's health insurance marketplace. The Basic Health Program will be funded by federal payments equivalent to 95% of the premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions that eligible individuals would have received under the Affordable Care Act. The Commissioner of Social Services will be responsible for seeking federal approval, administering the program, and coordinating it with existing state medical assistance programs, ensuring that benefits, cost-sharing limits, and consumer protections are consistent with those programs. A dedicated "basic health program account" will be established for program operations, and a working group, composed of various state officials, legislative leaders, and health insurance experts, will be formed to oversee the program's design and implementation, with a mandate to report its recommendations to the legislature. The Commissioner will also hold public hearings and stakeholder meetings before the program's implementation and will submit regular reports on the program's operations and finances to legislative committees.