Health Care
CCAG has been fighting corporate greed in healthcare for years, and the recent murder of United Health's CEO has sparked an outpouring of rage against the US health insurance system. As US Senator Chris Murphy said recently, “the business model of the healthcare industry is to deny medically necessary care, and force people into bankruptcy or let them die - all in pursuit of profits.” This winter, CCAG is continuing the fight against healthcare greed, building momentum and groundswell support for progress this legislative session, and working with allies to prepare for the fight against federal cuts to Medicare.
Good news, the hard work is paying off! December 18th 2025
|
Thank you to Rep. Jason Rojas for posting these images on social media
|
Over the summer CCAG and allies worked tirelessly to push for a special session to address our state's emergency response to the cruel federal budget cuts.
We are pleased to report that due to the advocacy organizing efforts of progressives, like yourself, state lawmakers met, stepped up and passed legislation that authorized Governor Lamont, and a panel of legislative leaders, to spend up to $500M to give our residents some relief. We then pushed demands for what the $500M should fund and as of Dec 18th, nearly $168M has been allocated to the protections we all fought for. $332M remains in the reserve. |
Now, we need to continue to pressure Governor Lamont and the legislature to spend the reserve on these crucial programs and others. The Governor has to spend the remainder of the reserve funds before the Connecticut legislative session begins on Feb 4th.
More Good News on the Healthcare Front!
As of January first, Public Act 25-167 will go into effect. This public act requires a pharmacy benefit manager, also known as a PBM, to offer a health plan the option of being charged the same price for a prescription drug that the PBM pays a pharmacy for the drug.
PBMs are the middlemen that set the prices for the drugs used by every American. This act was hard won and we thank you for helping to make it happen.
PBMs are the middlemen that set the prices for the drugs used by every American. This act was hard won and we thank you for helping to make it happen.
Thank you to all who took action to protect our healthcare from the federal cuts! Nov. 2025
The Trump budget — the Big Ugly Bill — is slashing HUSKY (Medicaid) SNAP, and CHIP to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporations. These cuts threaten the health, food security, and dignity of more than a million people in Connecticut. Tell your lawmakers to protect our healthcare!
Budgets are moral documents. They reveal our priorities. Right now, Connecticut has a choice: follow Washington’s path of cruelty and neglect, or act boldly to put people first.
We are demanding that our lawmakers:
Take immediate action in response to the devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP caused by the federal budget. These programs are lifelines for more than a million Connecticut residents, and their loss will cause real harm to families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities across our state.
Connecticut has the resources to step up. Our state has seen record surpluses, and we cannot allow arbitrary fiscal constraints to stand in the way of protecting people’s basic needs.
Adjust Connecticut’s fiscal constraints in a manner that recognizes the needs of our residents and changes at the federal level.
Send your message here today.
Budgets are moral documents. They reveal our priorities. Right now, Connecticut has a choice: follow Washington’s path of cruelty and neglect, or act boldly to put people first.
We are demanding that our lawmakers:
Take immediate action in response to the devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP caused by the federal budget. These programs are lifelines for more than a million Connecticut residents, and their loss will cause real harm to families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities across our state.
Connecticut has the resources to step up. Our state has seen record surpluses, and we cannot allow arbitrary fiscal constraints to stand in the way of protecting people’s basic needs.
Adjust Connecticut’s fiscal constraints in a manner that recognizes the needs of our residents and changes at the federal level.
Send your message here today.
10/22 Press Conference on the Federal Shut Down and Cuts to our Healthcare. View a slideshow of excerpts from the presser
|
|
The current federal administration has given tax breaks to corporations and billionaires in passing HR1, with massive cuts to Medicaid (called HUSKY in CT) and SNAP. Our health and very lives are affected.
On October 22nd, CCAG & Allies held a press conference to share stories of how this will affect the people of Connecticut. With the federal government shutdown, it is even more critical that our legislature, in Connecticut, acts now to prepare for these cuts and changes in a special session this fall. Send your message to your legislators here today! |
MIDAS Film Screening & Wendell Potter Panel 10/15
Every day, health insurance companies make billions of dollars for executives and shareholders by denying people care. Join us for an electrifying movie about a group of young people who take on the broken health care system, followed by a discussion with national and state leaders in health insurance advocacy and reform.
Join us for an evening of entertainment and discussion about health insurance in America, and what we can do about it.
We will watch the heist movie Midas, shot entirely in Hartford, whose heroes take on an insurance monolith from the inside. We will then have a panel discussion with national health insurance reformer Wendell Potter, Midas filmmaker TJ Noel-Sullivan, Senator Saud Anwar, and Senator Matt Lesser, Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate Kathleen Holt, moderated by Connecticut Healthcare Foundation's Rosana Ferraro.
This is a free event, we hope to see you there! RSVP here.
View a trailer of the film here.
Join us for an evening of entertainment and discussion about health insurance in America, and what we can do about it.
We will watch the heist movie Midas, shot entirely in Hartford, whose heroes take on an insurance monolith from the inside. We will then have a panel discussion with national health insurance reformer Wendell Potter, Midas filmmaker TJ Noel-Sullivan, Senator Saud Anwar, and Senator Matt Lesser, Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate Kathleen Holt, moderated by Connecticut Healthcare Foundation's Rosana Ferraro.
This is a free event, we hope to see you there! RSVP here.
View a trailer of the film here.
Tell Congress to STOP the AI-powered Medicare death panel!
One of the best things about traditional, government-run Medicare is that patients and doctors—not corporations—decide on care. Unlike privatized Medicare Advantage, there’s little to no prior authorization. That means people get the treatment they need when they need it without endless red tape.
Trump’s Medicare chief, Dr. Oz, has announced a pilot program in six states (Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington) that would hand traditional Medicare over to private companies using artificial intelligence to override doctors’ decisions.
This is nothing short of an AI-powered Medicare death panel.
We know what happens when corporations get between people and their health care: denials, delays, and billions siphoned off into CEO bonuses and shareholder profits. Medicare Advantage already costs taxpayers $150 billion more a year than traditional Medicare. Now they want to bring that same corruption to traditional Medicare.
We can’t let them. Congress must step in to stop this privatization scheme.
Tell your Federal legislators to STOP the Trump Administration’s pilot program to allow computers — instead of doctors — to decide whether people on traditional Medicare can get care. A decision will be made soon. SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS TODAY!
Trump’s Medicare chief, Dr. Oz, has announced a pilot program in six states (Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington) that would hand traditional Medicare over to private companies using artificial intelligence to override doctors’ decisions.
This is nothing short of an AI-powered Medicare death panel.
We know what happens when corporations get between people and their health care: denials, delays, and billions siphoned off into CEO bonuses and shareholder profits. Medicare Advantage already costs taxpayers $150 billion more a year than traditional Medicare. Now they want to bring that same corruption to traditional Medicare.
We can’t let them. Congress must step in to stop this privatization scheme.
Tell your Federal legislators to STOP the Trump Administration’s pilot program to allow computers — instead of doctors — to decide whether people on traditional Medicare can get care. A decision will be made soon. SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS TODAY!
Act Now: CT Special Session Needed!
As the Federal budget cuts continue, the need for a Special Legislative Session this fall becomes increasingly crucial.
The state’s Human Services Committee held a hearing at the Legislative Office Building on Trump’s Big Ugly Bill (HR1) and its devastating impact on Medicaid and SNAP last week.
Numerous experts detailed how the bill strips care from single moms, veterans, foster youth, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, people with disabilities – driving up costs and limiting access for everyone.
The numbers are also painting a grim story. Here is a chart from DataHaven that shows how Connecticut will be affected by Medicaid cuts. HR1 is projected to cause at least 10 million people to lose their health insurance nationally by 2034, including over one hundred thousand Connecticut residents, according to a new analysis of the bill by KFF.
However - not all hope is lost. People around the state are organizing and calling for a special session to counteract the devastating cuts from HR1. CT has the capacity to cover these costs as surpluses have exceeded $12 billion since 2018, and just weeks ago, lawmakers discovered that we had $1.3 billion more in revenue for 2025 than they had anticipated when they passed the budget.
Here's what must happen next: Governor Lamont must declare a state of emergency and call a special session this fall to reject the Trump budget and legislators must:
The state’s Human Services Committee held a hearing at the Legislative Office Building on Trump’s Big Ugly Bill (HR1) and its devastating impact on Medicaid and SNAP last week.
Numerous experts detailed how the bill strips care from single moms, veterans, foster youth, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, people with disabilities – driving up costs and limiting access for everyone.
The numbers are also painting a grim story. Here is a chart from DataHaven that shows how Connecticut will be affected by Medicaid cuts. HR1 is projected to cause at least 10 million people to lose their health insurance nationally by 2034, including over one hundred thousand Connecticut residents, according to a new analysis of the bill by KFF.
However - not all hope is lost. People around the state are organizing and calling for a special session to counteract the devastating cuts from HR1. CT has the capacity to cover these costs as surpluses have exceeded $12 billion since 2018, and just weeks ago, lawmakers discovered that we had $1.3 billion more in revenue for 2025 than they had anticipated when they passed the budget.
Here's what must happen next: Governor Lamont must declare a state of emergency and call a special session this fall to reject the Trump budget and legislators must:
- Protect Connecticut residents from these cruel cuts.
- Reject Trump’s wrongheaded budget and capture the tax cuts for the wealthy to ensure our ability to withstand the cuts and build a better tomorrow.
- Adjust Connecticut’s fiscal constraints in a manner that recognizes the needs of our residents and changes at the federal level.
Health insurance companies have raised your rates again!
Two of these companies, Anthem and UnitedHealthcare (UHC), were among those who tanked a Public Option in Connecticut in 2021.They’ve been doing pretty well since then. In 2024, UnitedHealthcare reported profits of $14,405,000,000, and Anthem reported profits of $5,980,000,000.
You read those right - that’s $20 billion, from two companies alone, that could have paid for health care – and instead went into the pockets of already-rich shareholders
Read the Health Insurance Greed report here.
The CID held a public informational meeting in August and have now made a decision on how high the insurance rates will rise. Watch this page for details and what we can do to survive these unaffordable and dangerous rate hikes.
You read those right - that’s $20 billion, from two companies alone, that could have paid for health care – and instead went into the pockets of already-rich shareholders
Read the Health Insurance Greed report here.
The CID held a public informational meeting in August and have now made a decision on how high the insurance rates will rise. Watch this page for details and what we can do to survive these unaffordable and dangerous rate hikes.
CCAG, Americans for Tax Fairness, and HCAN Report: Medicaid Cuts will hurt working people to benefit billionaires
Speak Out Against Healthcare Greed!
Recent events have shown just how many Americans have direct and painful experience with the health insurance strategy of “guarding against unnecessary care.”
This is actually how insurance companies, in pursuit of ever increasing profits, deploy claims denials and other tactics. Your health is not their concern.
Want to join the fight? Click here to share your own healthcare story with CCAG and to sign up to receive healthcare updates and take part in coming actions.
We will be offering new events that uncover and explore healthcare greed. We will also share ways you can take part in the decision making this legislative session with CCAG and allies as we work for a strong Public Option for healthcare and to address insurance company’s abuses of prior authorization.
CCAG has been fighting healthcare greed since our founding more than 50 years ago. We are not stopping now, and we will be working this legislative session for real wins for Connecticut families.
Too many of us are being denied care – by insurance companies getting between us and our doctors.
Enough is enough. Share your story and join the fight.
Still fighting your claim denial?
Contact Connecticut's Healthcare Advocate. You can request assistance getting insurers to pay their share of a medical bill or claim, appealing denials, understanding health insurance plans and options and resolving enrollment issues
And check out Pro Publica's guide to requesting your health insurance claim file, which can include details about what your insurer is saying about you and your case.
This is actually how insurance companies, in pursuit of ever increasing profits, deploy claims denials and other tactics. Your health is not their concern.
Want to join the fight? Click here to share your own healthcare story with CCAG and to sign up to receive healthcare updates and take part in coming actions.
We will be offering new events that uncover and explore healthcare greed. We will also share ways you can take part in the decision making this legislative session with CCAG and allies as we work for a strong Public Option for healthcare and to address insurance company’s abuses of prior authorization.
CCAG has been fighting healthcare greed since our founding more than 50 years ago. We are not stopping now, and we will be working this legislative session for real wins for Connecticut families.
Too many of us are being denied care – by insurance companies getting between us and our doctors.
Enough is enough. Share your story and join the fight.
Still fighting your claim denial?
Contact Connecticut's Healthcare Advocate. You can request assistance getting insurers to pay their share of a medical bill or claim, appealing denials, understanding health insurance plans and options and resolving enrollment issues
And check out Pro Publica's guide to requesting your health insurance claim file, which can include details about what your insurer is saying about you and your case.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important meeting leading up to the 2025 legislative session which convenes on January 8th.
With your help we are building the groundswell support it will take to fight against how greed affects our access to healthcare, and what we can do to combat private companies putting profit over their patients.
Featured Speakers included:
Brennan Bilberry, Fairmark Partners LLP
John Brady, American Federation of Teachers
Ernies Davis, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ayesha Clarke, Health Equity Solutions
Watch for Part 3 of the series coming up soon.
For questions, comments or to join the campaign, contact Liz Dupont-Diehl at: Ldd.ccag@gmail. com
With your help we are building the groundswell support it will take to fight against how greed affects our access to healthcare, and what we can do to combat private companies putting profit over their patients.
Featured Speakers included:
Brennan Bilberry, Fairmark Partners LLP
John Brady, American Federation of Teachers
Ernies Davis, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ayesha Clarke, Health Equity Solutions
Watch for Part 3 of the series coming up soon.
For questions, comments or to join the campaign, contact Liz Dupont-Diehl at: Ldd.ccag@gmail. com
What Hospital Consolidation Means for Our Health: Part 2 of the CCAG Healthcare Explainer Series
CCAG and allies held a press conference July 30 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare and to call for Connecticut leaders to step up and protect vital services slashed by President Trump's July 4 "Big Beautiful Bill."
We released a report by Americans for Tax Fairness and HCAN showing how working people will lose healthcare and vital services - to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.
CCAG and other speakers called on CT leaders to make CT's tax system fair and equitable and to make up for these federal cuts to protect our residents.
Read the report here and watch the press conference on CTN here.
Don’t Believe the Ads: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Warning
"No patient or family should have to fight Artificial Intelligence for the care that would be provided under traditional Medicare," said Gloria Bent, describing the denials of care that her husband experienced under Medicare Advantage before his death.
“Medicare Advantage plans seem valuable at their outset, but far too many members of these programs find themselves struggling,” said Senator Anwar. “They join programs expecting low costs and high quality service, but all too often find themselves denied services and experience delays due to their insurance approvals, all the while paying spiking costs. They’re great plans for people who don’t need much medical care; once that care becomes necessary, those paying into the programs suffer. We need better systems that protect people and we need to prevent Advantage plans from negatively impacting even more patients.”
Watch the full press conference here: https://fb.watch/uZmbG3bYCQ/
“Medicare Advantage plans seem valuable at their outset, but far too many members of these programs find themselves struggling,” said Senator Anwar. “They join programs expecting low costs and high quality service, but all too often find themselves denied services and experience delays due to their insurance approvals, all the while paying spiking costs. They’re great plans for people who don’t need much medical care; once that care becomes necessary, those paying into the programs suffer. We need better systems that protect people and we need to prevent Advantage plans from negatively impacting even more patients.”
Watch the full press conference here: https://fb.watch/uZmbG3bYCQ/
The CID decision is in, thank you to everyone who took action!
Health insurance companies asked the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) for its blessing to raise your rates - again.
The CID heard you and on September 6, they issued their final rulings on 8 health insurance rate filings for the 2025 individual and small group markets. These were for plans that currently cover about 200,000 people.
The average rate increase requested in the individual market was reduced by 29% from the requested 8.3%, resulting in an average increase of 5.9%. The average rate increase requested in the small group market was reduced 35% from a requested average of 11.9%, resulting in an average increase of 7.8%.
There is still more work to do. CCAG released a press statement: "We appreciate the Insurance Department rolling back the proposed health insurance rate hikes and placing a cap on profits on health insurance. However, prices are still too high. The review did not adequately analyze how vertical integration impacts rates and did not place limits on this. The legislature needs to give the Department the tools to do this analysis and limit insurers' schemes to profit at every level."
We are pleased that the hikes have been mitigated to a degree.
Clearly, our government needs to act in a much stronger manner to rein in these corporate profiteers.
Stay tuned for updates and future action!
The CID heard you and on September 6, they issued their final rulings on 8 health insurance rate filings for the 2025 individual and small group markets. These were for plans that currently cover about 200,000 people.
The average rate increase requested in the individual market was reduced by 29% from the requested 8.3%, resulting in an average increase of 5.9%. The average rate increase requested in the small group market was reduced 35% from a requested average of 11.9%, resulting in an average increase of 7.8%.
There is still more work to do. CCAG released a press statement: "We appreciate the Insurance Department rolling back the proposed health insurance rate hikes and placing a cap on profits on health insurance. However, prices are still too high. The review did not adequately analyze how vertical integration impacts rates and did not place limits on this. The legislature needs to give the Department the tools to do this analysis and limit insurers' schemes to profit at every level."
We are pleased that the hikes have been mitigated to a degree.
Clearly, our government needs to act in a much stronger manner to rein in these corporate profiteers.
- Read the CID Announcement
- Read the Rate Filings Fact Sheet
- View CCAG's press release & report revealing 2023 spending by just four health insurance companies on profits, CEO pay and stock buybacks. They are making billions by rejecting your claims and raising your rates.
Stay tuned for updates and future action!
Legislative Wrap Up Highlights on Healthcare for the 2024 Session
Our healthcare supporters will recall that the unprecedented failure of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee to vote out ANY bill, left much for us to continue to work on in the future. In spite of the IRE committee failure, we were all still able to get a few significant wins.
CCAG and allies fought against Association Health “Plans” (AHP’s), which are not even actually insurance and are not legal in Connecticut. They have been shown in other states to result in discriminatory pricing based on age, race, or disability, and destabilize the health insurance market. We presented highly public opposition against this horrible concept with hundreds of calls from the public and are happy to say that any bill that would have included AHP’s failed to pass.
SB 181 AAC Emergency Department Crowding will begin to address this growing issue by following the recommendations of a working group to provide detailed information to the state on numerous factors including boarding which leaves admitted patients in the ER that are contributing to the problem.
SB 395 AAC the Reporting of Medical Debt. Passed and prohibits health care providers and hospitals from reporting a patient's medical debt to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) for their credit report on and after July 1, 2024. It also voids any portion of such medical debt that is reported to the CRAs.
SB 5005 AAC Expanding Paid Sick Days in the State. Passed and will expand coverage in three phases by lowering the threshold to qualify from companies with 50 or more employees to those with 25 or more on Jan. 1, 2025; to 11 in 2026; and to one in 2027. The benefits will apply to nearly every worker in the state by 2027.
Special thanks to She Leads Justice, Working Families in Connecticut, AARP CT, individuals and legislative champions who fought for and won passage of this expansion which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2024.
The Stop HUSKY Discrimination Coalition won a first-in-the-nation mandate for timely wheelchair repairs and a mandate for hospitals to begin to acquire certain diagnostic equipment.
HUSKY4Immigrants did not succeed in raising the age of coverage for people who are not
documented up to age 18, but did garner significant support and built momentum for expansion next year.
For more information on CCAG’s healthcare work, please contact Liz Dupont-Diehl at [email protected].
CCAG and allies fought against Association Health “Plans” (AHP’s), which are not even actually insurance and are not legal in Connecticut. They have been shown in other states to result in discriminatory pricing based on age, race, or disability, and destabilize the health insurance market. We presented highly public opposition against this horrible concept with hundreds of calls from the public and are happy to say that any bill that would have included AHP’s failed to pass.
SB 181 AAC Emergency Department Crowding will begin to address this growing issue by following the recommendations of a working group to provide detailed information to the state on numerous factors including boarding which leaves admitted patients in the ER that are contributing to the problem.
SB 395 AAC the Reporting of Medical Debt. Passed and prohibits health care providers and hospitals from reporting a patient's medical debt to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) for their credit report on and after July 1, 2024. It also voids any portion of such medical debt that is reported to the CRAs.
SB 5005 AAC Expanding Paid Sick Days in the State. Passed and will expand coverage in three phases by lowering the threshold to qualify from companies with 50 or more employees to those with 25 or more on Jan. 1, 2025; to 11 in 2026; and to one in 2027. The benefits will apply to nearly every worker in the state by 2027.
Special thanks to She Leads Justice, Working Families in Connecticut, AARP CT, individuals and legislative champions who fought for and won passage of this expansion which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2024.
The Stop HUSKY Discrimination Coalition won a first-in-the-nation mandate for timely wheelchair repairs and a mandate for hospitals to begin to acquire certain diagnostic equipment.
HUSKY4Immigrants did not succeed in raising the age of coverage for people who are not
documented up to age 18, but did garner significant support and built momentum for expansion next year.
For more information on CCAG’s healthcare work, please contact Liz Dupont-Diehl at [email protected].
Connecticut residents are finding it more and more difficult to afford the health care they need. CCAG continues to play a unique and necessary role in calling out the greed of for-profit companies that divert billions of dollars from your care to making wealthy shareholders and executives even richer. Be sure to check this site often for updates and action!
Junk Health Plans. CCAG and allies have been fighting Association Health “Plans”, which are not even actually insurance and are not now legal in Connecticut. Representative Kerry Wood and CBIA have been pushing for these junk plans. They have been shown in other states to result in discriminatory pricing based on age, race, or disability, and destabilize the health insurance market.
Fortunately, this year’s bill, HB 5347, did not advance out of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee. CCAG issued a call to action on the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act against this horrible concept, and will remain vigilant to ensure they do not re-appear in another form by the end of the session.
SB 181 AAC Emergency Department Overcrowding will begin to address the growing issue of emergency room overcrowding by following the recommendations of a working group to provide detailed information to the state on numerous factors including boarding, in which hospitals opt to leave admitted patients in the ER that are contributing to the problem. UPDATE! Bill passed and is on it's way to the Governors desk.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Medical debt. As part of its state budget, the Lamont administration has proposed a $20 million investment to eliminate medical debt for households with an income up to four times the federal poverty level or whose medical debt amounts to at least 5% of their annual income. The governor’s office expects a total of 250,000 residents to benefit.
CCAG also supported a number of bills which would address medical debt by requiring hospitals to better provide and inform people about assistance, promote affordability as criteria in the CT Insurance Department’s rate review, to revise the Certificate of Need process to provide greater accountability and transparency.
SB 395 AAC the Reporting of Medical Debt will prohibit the reporting of medical debt to credit rating agencies and impose penalties via reduction or withdrawal of Medicaid funds to the extent permissible under federal law. UPDATE! This bill passed & is on it's way to the Governors desk.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
SB 180 AAC Adverse Determintation and Utilization Reviews would put the burden of proof for denying medical claims where it belongs - on the insurance company.
After ProPublica’s reporting last year, How Cigna Saves Millions by Having Its Doctors Reject Claims Without Reading Them, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Healthcare are facing lawsuits from members or their families alleging that AI wrongfully denied medical claims.
SB 180 would be a critical step in addressing this perversely incentivized system wherein insurance companies practice medicine without a license and deny people the care their doctors recommend in order to garner these obscene profits. This bill would need to pass both chambers by midnight on May 8th.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Private Equity. CCAG testified in favor of bills requiring study and reporting on the extent and details of private equity ownership of health care facilities (HB 5319) and of nursing homes (SB 318). Both health care practices and facilities and nursing homes are increasingly being bought by private equity, even while outcomes and care are shown to plummet under the short-term, intensive focus on profit that accompanies such ownership.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
SB 433 Racial Equity in Public Health Commission Recommendations focuses on racial equity in public health by developing plans regarding public policies and rule setting, hiring, and contracting to begin redressing the harms from decades of institutional racism. CCAG applauds its emphasis on community engagement. This bill as written did not move forward this year in it's current form.
Fortunately, this year’s bill, HB 5347, did not advance out of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee. CCAG issued a call to action on the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act against this horrible concept, and will remain vigilant to ensure they do not re-appear in another form by the end of the session.
SB 181 AAC Emergency Department Overcrowding will begin to address the growing issue of emergency room overcrowding by following the recommendations of a working group to provide detailed information to the state on numerous factors including boarding, in which hospitals opt to leave admitted patients in the ER that are contributing to the problem. UPDATE! Bill passed and is on it's way to the Governors desk.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Medical debt. As part of its state budget, the Lamont administration has proposed a $20 million investment to eliminate medical debt for households with an income up to four times the federal poverty level or whose medical debt amounts to at least 5% of their annual income. The governor’s office expects a total of 250,000 residents to benefit.
CCAG also supported a number of bills which would address medical debt by requiring hospitals to better provide and inform people about assistance, promote affordability as criteria in the CT Insurance Department’s rate review, to revise the Certificate of Need process to provide greater accountability and transparency.
SB 395 AAC the Reporting of Medical Debt will prohibit the reporting of medical debt to credit rating agencies and impose penalties via reduction or withdrawal of Medicaid funds to the extent permissible under federal law. UPDATE! This bill passed & is on it's way to the Governors desk.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
SB 180 AAC Adverse Determintation and Utilization Reviews would put the burden of proof for denying medical claims where it belongs - on the insurance company.
After ProPublica’s reporting last year, How Cigna Saves Millions by Having Its Doctors Reject Claims Without Reading Them, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Healthcare are facing lawsuits from members or their families alleging that AI wrongfully denied medical claims.
SB 180 would be a critical step in addressing this perversely incentivized system wherein insurance companies practice medicine without a license and deny people the care their doctors recommend in order to garner these obscene profits. This bill would need to pass both chambers by midnight on May 8th.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Private Equity. CCAG testified in favor of bills requiring study and reporting on the extent and details of private equity ownership of health care facilities (HB 5319) and of nursing homes (SB 318). Both health care practices and facilities and nursing homes are increasingly being bought by private equity, even while outcomes and care are shown to plummet under the short-term, intensive focus on profit that accompanies such ownership.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
SB 433 Racial Equity in Public Health Commission Recommendations focuses on racial equity in public health by developing plans regarding public policies and rule setting, hiring, and contracting to begin redressing the harms from decades of institutional racism. CCAG applauds its emphasis on community engagement. This bill as written did not move forward this year in it's current form.
Public Hearing: Raise the Age for HUSKY for Immigrants! Wednesday February 21st, 2pm
Over the last 3 years, as part of the HUSKY4Immigrants Coalition, CCAG helped to expand HUSKY Healthcare to kids under 15 and pregnant people We know health needs don’t stop at 15, so we’re ready to make noise again
The Appropriations Committee has called a Public Hearing on Wednesday February 21, at 2pm where individuals can speak out on what services our state should fund! We’re asking everyone to submit testimony asking the Appropriations Committee to fund HUSKY for immigrants up to age 18 in this year's budget
YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED. The deadline to submit testimony is February 21st by 10am!
Here is a "Testimony Writing Form", which allows you to easily and quickly draft your testimony!
The Appropriations Committee has called a Public Hearing on Wednesday February 21, at 2pm where individuals can speak out on what services our state should fund! We’re asking everyone to submit testimony asking the Appropriations Committee to fund HUSKY for immigrants up to age 18 in this year's budget
YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED. The deadline to submit testimony is February 21st by 10am!
Here is a "Testimony Writing Form", which allows you to easily and quickly draft your testimony!
HEALTHCARE 2023
Activsts Take Action to Stop Health Insurance Greed (10/11/23)
Health insurance companies are making trillions by denying people care. Take action here!
Wall Street is happy - but people are suffering, as for-profit insurance companies reject care recommended by doctors to ensure their profits, executive pay and stock buybacks.
Join us to march on two main offenders in Hartford - Aetna and UnitedHealth. Their CEO salaries and stock buybacks will curl your hair. And they are taking public money for Medicare Advantage meant to provide healthcare for seniors, people with disabilities, and poor people -- and instead using it to pad executive salaries and profits by denying medically necessary care.
On October 11th, we will gather and march outside of Mother Aetna on Farmington Ave., and continue to UnitedHealth on Asylum St. A bus will be available.
We hope to see you there! RSVP and details here.
Wall Street is happy - but people are suffering, as for-profit insurance companies reject care recommended by doctors to ensure their profits, executive pay and stock buybacks.
Join us to march on two main offenders in Hartford - Aetna and UnitedHealth. Their CEO salaries and stock buybacks will curl your hair. And they are taking public money for Medicare Advantage meant to provide healthcare for seniors, people with disabilities, and poor people -- and instead using it to pad executive salaries and profits by denying medically necessary care.
On October 11th, we will gather and march outside of Mother Aetna on Farmington Ave., and continue to UnitedHealth on Asylum St. A bus will be available.
We hope to see you there! RSVP and details here.
CIGNA Week! July 2023
|
|
For the next four weeks we will bring you details of how Anthem - now Elevance; CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group and Cigna - have used $400 billion of premiums and tax dollars to enrich themselves and shareholders.
CEO David Cordani raked in $37 million in compensation in 2022 and spent tens of billions buying back Cigna Healthcare's own stock -- now he wants CT to raise premiums to pay for it. Tell CT, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Send your comments to the CID to say NO TO THE RATE HIKES NOW! |
Take Action to Oppose Health Insurance Rate Increases
Since the legislative session ended, health insurance companies have submitted their annual request to increase rates for individual plans and small businesses.
The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) is seeking comments from the public, and then will have a public hearing in August.
Requested increases are as high as 23% – from companies that are spending billions of your premium dollars on executive pay, stock buybacks, and profits.
We are urging everyone to write to the insurance department and tell them to take into account profits, executive pay, stock buybacks, and vertical integration and mergers and acquisitions -- and to reject these requests.
Your comments will become part of the public record. Please email Liz at [email protected] to let us know you commented or if you have questions.
In the coming weeks, CCAG will reveal that 2022 spending by just four health insurance companies on profits, CEO pay and stock buybacks was just short of $400 billion.
Clearly, government needs to act in a much stronger manner to rein in these corporate profiteers - stay tuned and watch your email for more information on how you can submit testimony and speak out at the public hearing!
Follow CCAG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for posts on this excessive greed. Be prepared to be shocked. We will reveal how the insurance companies who sought to derail the public option have spent billions of your premium dollars to further enrich themselves and already-wealthy shareholders.
The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) is seeking comments from the public, and then will have a public hearing in August.
Requested increases are as high as 23% – from companies that are spending billions of your premium dollars on executive pay, stock buybacks, and profits.
We are urging everyone to write to the insurance department and tell them to take into account profits, executive pay, stock buybacks, and vertical integration and mergers and acquisitions -- and to reject these requests.
Your comments will become part of the public record. Please email Liz at [email protected] to let us know you commented or if you have questions.
In the coming weeks, CCAG will reveal that 2022 spending by just four health insurance companies on profits, CEO pay and stock buybacks was just short of $400 billion.
Clearly, government needs to act in a much stronger manner to rein in these corporate profiteers - stay tuned and watch your email for more information on how you can submit testimony and speak out at the public hearing!
Follow CCAG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for posts on this excessive greed. Be prepared to be shocked. We will reveal how the insurance companies who sought to derail the public option have spent billions of your premium dollars to further enrich themselves and already-wealthy shareholders.
Share Your Health Care Story!
Many of us are not able to access health care, experiencing medical debt or high co-pays and deductibles, or unable to access insurance or health care at all.
CCAG wants to hear your story.
Fill out this form to schedule an appointment with a CCAG organizer. We will protect your privacy, and you can share your story anonymously if you wish.
We will use your stories to tell lawmakers that enough is enough, and demand they prioritize your health over the greed of the healthcare system.
We will also keep you updated about bills this legislative session on these issues, and of opportunities to take action this year and beyond.
CCAG wants to hear your story.
Fill out this form to schedule an appointment with a CCAG organizer. We will protect your privacy, and you can share your story anonymously if you wish.
We will use your stories to tell lawmakers that enough is enough, and demand they prioritize your health over the greed of the healthcare system.
We will also keep you updated about bills this legislative session on these issues, and of opportunities to take action this year and beyond.
Connecticut's 5 Families Campaign
Health insurance companies are making billions by denying you care.
Five of them sent this letter to Governor Lamont in April 2021, threatening to move jobs out of Connecticut if we passed a Public Option. It worked, and the Public Option was scrapped in the final days of the 2021 legislative session.
CCAG is investigating, and bringing you information you need about the greed and profiteering of these companies.
Three initial reports exposed hundreds of millions diverted from health care to CEO pay, lobbying expenses, and profits and stock buybacks.
Our first report, on CEO compensation, showed that those five companies paid their CEOs $137.7 million in the last year. Our second, Games Insurers Play: How Low Will They Go?, explores the tactics and money spent in the 2021 legislative session. It shows that the industry, these Five Families, and dark money groups who don't disclose their donors spent at least $1.3 million lobbying in just six months. Finally, Pandemic Profiteering: Making a Killing on COVID, finds that what these companies reported in profits, and spent on stock buybacks, could have funded the entire state of Connecticut for two years.
CCAG updated these in August of 2022, showing Billions Spent on Stock Buybacks, Profits, and Executive Compensation by Health Insurance Companies Seeking Double Digit Rate Increases.
By adding thousands of small businesses and nonprofits to the state's Partnership Plan, the Public Option proposed in 2021 would have offered affordable, quality coverage to tens of thousands of people. Health insurance companies would still have had work administering the plan -- but it would have impeded the skyrocketing profits of the insurance industry.
It's time our lawmakers listened to the people of Connecticut, rather than millionaire insurance executives.
Make sure to like, follow and share our Five Families Facebook page, share your health care story, and click here to take action and sign up for updates.
Five of them sent this letter to Governor Lamont in April 2021, threatening to move jobs out of Connecticut if we passed a Public Option. It worked, and the Public Option was scrapped in the final days of the 2021 legislative session.
CCAG is investigating, and bringing you information you need about the greed and profiteering of these companies.
Three initial reports exposed hundreds of millions diverted from health care to CEO pay, lobbying expenses, and profits and stock buybacks.
Our first report, on CEO compensation, showed that those five companies paid their CEOs $137.7 million in the last year. Our second, Games Insurers Play: How Low Will They Go?, explores the tactics and money spent in the 2021 legislative session. It shows that the industry, these Five Families, and dark money groups who don't disclose their donors spent at least $1.3 million lobbying in just six months. Finally, Pandemic Profiteering: Making a Killing on COVID, finds that what these companies reported in profits, and spent on stock buybacks, could have funded the entire state of Connecticut for two years.
CCAG updated these in August of 2022, showing Billions Spent on Stock Buybacks, Profits, and Executive Compensation by Health Insurance Companies Seeking Double Digit Rate Increases.
By adding thousands of small businesses and nonprofits to the state's Partnership Plan, the Public Option proposed in 2021 would have offered affordable, quality coverage to tens of thousands of people. Health insurance companies would still have had work administering the plan -- but it would have impeded the skyrocketing profits of the insurance industry.
It's time our lawmakers listened to the people of Connecticut, rather than millionaire insurance executives.
Make sure to like, follow and share our Five Families Facebook page, share your health care story, and click here to take action and sign up for updates.
June 1st, Restore and Expand our Health Care Safety Net!
Join us for the Recovery for All Solidarity Action with Striking Workers!
HUSKY for Immigrants, Expand Services to Save Lives Coalition, 1199 Home Care workers, and the Stop HUSKY Health Discrimination coalition are joining forces to support striking workers and demand a moral budget!
There will be a Story Wall display outside the Capitol, coordinated with stories shared on social media highlighting folks in the campaigns, their support for the striking workers, and their demand for a moral budget that includes all of the RFA issues. Health Care is a Human Right! FLYER HERE
February 21 Healthcare Hearings
Human Services Committee Hearing, 11 am: HB 991, An Act Concerning Medicaid Reimbursement for Community Health Workers. Community health workers are known to be extremely effective in conveying critical health and wellness information - yet too many providers struggle to fund these critical positions, often relying on grants which are inherently time-limited.
Please submit written testimony in Word or PDF format here. Our partners, Health Equity Solutions, have provided testimony templates here, and Fact Sheets, here.
If you plan to testify via zoom or in person, register using this Online Testimony Registration Form by 3:00 P.M. Feb. 20th.The first hour of the hearing is reserved for public officials. Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony. The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live.
Insurance and Real Estate Committee Hearing, 2:30 pm
Bills being heard include;
- HB 983, An Act Limiting Anticompetitive Healthcare Practices, and HB 6620, An Act Promoting Competition in Contracts Between Health Carriers and Health Care Providers.
- HB 6629 would require a waiver from the Insurance Commissioner for anti-competitive practices including any an all-or-nothing clauses, anti-steering clauses, or gag clauses.
Click here to submit written testimony. The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live and CT-N.com. Anyone wishing to testify must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form by 3:00 P.M. February 20th. To register to testify by phone, call 860-240-0510 to leave your contact information.
All of these bills are important. Join us in demanding that the health care profiteers -- health insurance companies, pharma, and hospitals engaging in anticompetitive practices -– are held to account.
We need these bills, and beyond them – a review of the greedy practices of the health insurance industry. Demand that our taxes and premium dollars go towards keeping people healthy – not deepening inequality by making rich shareholders even more wealthy.
Just imagine if health insurance companies had paid for community health workers during COVID - instead of raking in billions in profits and spending billions more buying back their own stock.
In addition to testifying Tuesday, please like and share the Connecticut’s Five Families facebook page for continuing news of health insurance greed, and check out our update last August on their 2021 stock buybacks, executive pay, and obscene profits.
CCRG is helping improve Medicaid
|
CCRG has partnered with People’s Action Inc. and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in a nationwide survey. We are looking to interview anyone who has received or applied for HUSKY or CHIP since 2018.
The results will be used to improve the experience and provide better coverage for people. We are also looking for the opportunity to table at events. Please contact: CCAG Organizer, Quanisha Flippen |
CCAG Health Care Coalitions
CCAG co-chairs the Medicaid Strategy Group, a coalition of health advocates working together to improve and defend the quality and reach of HUSKY programs in Connecticut through administrative and legislative advocacy. Medicaid is a vital source of health insurance for low-income families. Connecticut has a robust Medicaid program that should allow more people in the state to get the health care they need. For more information, contact CCAG Organizer Quanishe Flippen.
CCAG is also a member of Husky4Immigrants, a coalition of organizations around Connecticut fighting for policies to expand healthcare access to all immigrants regardless of status, and to open eligibility to the HUSKY health program. CCAG and members have succeeded in making HUSKY insurance available to undocumented children aged 13 and under who are eligible, and secured it through age 18. It is a victory - but we will not stop fighting until all Connecticut residents have affordable, quality health care! For more information, visit facebook.com/HUSKY4IMMIGRANTS/
CCAG is also part of other coalition efforts for other related issues, including lowering the cost of prescription drugs, battling the commodification of health care, promoting a public option, and ensuring all Connecticut residents have quality, affordable health care.
CCAG is also a member of Husky4Immigrants, a coalition of organizations around Connecticut fighting for policies to expand healthcare access to all immigrants regardless of status, and to open eligibility to the HUSKY health program. CCAG and members have succeeded in making HUSKY insurance available to undocumented children aged 13 and under who are eligible, and secured it through age 18. It is a victory - but we will not stop fighting until all Connecticut residents have affordable, quality health care! For more information, visit facebook.com/HUSKY4IMMIGRANTS/
CCAG is also part of other coalition efforts for other related issues, including lowering the cost of prescription drugs, battling the commodification of health care, promoting a public option, and ensuring all Connecticut residents have quality, affordable health care.
Health Insurance Companies Seek Even Greater Profits
Health insurance companies sought to raise your rates an average of 20% -- while spending billions on executive pay, buying back their own stock, and profits for already rich shareholders.
CCAG spoke out at a press conference and at the CT Insurance Department's hearing in August, and greeted lawmakers with a reminder that Insurance Greed Kills as they entered the public hearing. Advocates and lawmakers cited our report as they challenged the requested increases.
The Insurance Department allowed increases less than the requested amount - but still too much, given that these increases come at the expense of your care. Join the fight - Share Your Health Care Story today!
CCAG spoke out at a press conference and at the CT Insurance Department's hearing in August, and greeted lawmakers with a reminder that Insurance Greed Kills as they entered the public hearing. Advocates and lawmakers cited our report as they challenged the requested increases.
The Insurance Department allowed increases less than the requested amount - but still too much, given that these increases come at the expense of your care. Join the fight - Share Your Health Care Story today!
2022: Health care for children
In Connecticut, undocumented immigrants are unable to access healthcare coverage. They can’t buy into AccessHealth CT, are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and private insurance companies are either too expensive or outright reject applications from undocumented individuals.
Health care is a human right. We can and must to better.
The HUSKY for Immigrants coalition won coverage for pregnant woman ,and children aged 13 and under, who are not documented, beginning in January of 2023. These children will not lose coverage when they turn 18. It is not enough - we will fight until all people have quality, affordable health care.
Health care is a human right. We can and must to better.
The HUSKY for Immigrants coalition won coverage for pregnant woman ,and children aged 13 and under, who are not documented, beginning in January of 2023. These children will not lose coverage when they turn 18. It is not enough - we will fight until all people have quality, affordable health care.
Access Health CT Enrollment
- Free help is available through Access Health CT, including navigators and application counselors.
- Covered Connecticut is a new option that Access Health CT offers. For those who qualify, there are $0 monthly costs and $0 out-of-pocket expenses.
- For many people, costs are lower now. Those who have considered coverage from Access Health CT in the past might be surprised by the current costs and would benefit from finding out their options.
- Quick Enrollment Information
- Online: Go to Access Health CT Annual Open Enrollment
- Call: 1-855-805-4325
-
- To learn more about Covered Connecticut,
- visit: https://help.accesshealthct.com/en_US/covered-connecticut-program
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL
Connecticut Citizen Action Group, 30 Arbor Street Ste 107, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 233-2181 - [email protected]t
(860) 233-2181 - [email protected]t