March 31, 2023 By

Contributors  Stephan Ramdohr, Holly Hackett and Ronna Stuller, Medicare For All CT

State-based SP organizations

Medicare for All CT. https://www.medicare4allct.org

State-based SP bills

An Act Establishing a Single Payer Health Care Program in Connecticut

Unlike 2021, there was no single-payer implementation bill in Connecticut during the 2023 legislative session. .

Related legislation

HB5485 An Act Concerning a Cost-Benefit Analysis of Establishing a HUSKY for All, Universal Health Care Financing System

A brief summary is available on the CT General Assembly website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB5485
Sponsors: Rep. David Michel, Rep. Anne M. Hughes, Rep. Robyn A. Porter, Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, Rep. Travis Simms.

The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health and then reassigned to the House Committee on Human Services, where it failed to be called for a public hearing.

HB6616 An Act Concerning the Expansion of HUSKY Health Benefits to Those Ineligible Due to Immigration Status
The Human Services Committee introduced HB6616 to expand medical assistance to otherwise eligible persons regardless of immigration status. Following a Public Hearing on February 14, at which hundreds of individuals gave testimony, the bill received a favorable report and went to the Appropriations Committee.
Summary at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06616&which_year=2023
Sponsors: Rep. Christopher Rosario, Rep. David Michel, Rep. Herron Gaston, Rep. Robyn A. Porter, Rep. Derrick Slap, Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, Rep. Joshua Hall, Rep. Anthony Nolan, Sen. Julie Kushner, Rep. Geraldo Reyes, Sen. Martin Looney, Rep. Juan Candelaria, Rep. Kate Farrar.

Related Factors

DE-PRIVATIZED Medicaid.  Medicaid was taken back by the state in 2012 from insurance company MCOs and converted to ePCCM (enhanced Primary Care Case Management) + 3 Administrative Services Org (dental, medical, behavioral) for administration only.

This is a strong demonstration of the state administering the large plan more effectively than the private sector.  20% reduction in administrative costs; 14% reduction in total cost, increased physician participation, 14% reduction in per patient cost.

Obstacles to SP in the current context

Strong insurance industry (Hartford CT is well-known “hub” for insurance industry); Insurance companies are largest donors to legislators.

Advantages for SP in current context

Enthusiasm for Municipal resolutions: the cities of New London, New Haven, Stamford, Hamden and Windham have passed Medicare for All resolutions.  Activist Dr. Justin Paglino (young retired MD/ researcher) will challenge an insurance cheerleader for seat next year.

There is strong grassroots advocacy group (M4A-CT) that has cultivated contacts with many legislators and also gathered people who testified in person (via Zoom) in favor of Single Payer bills in Public Hearings.  In addition, M4A CT’s letter writing campaign sent more than 1,750 emails from CT residents urging the members of the Human Services Committee to vote in favor of the bill.

Goals for SP movement in CT 2023-24

Strengthen grassroots capacity; fund-raising for 501c4/; More “Public Citizen” M4A municipal resolutions.

Shorter-term initiatives

Medicare for All CT is raising funds to conduct a study which can be presented in support of future legislation to extend universal health care to all Connecticut residents.

Because Medicaid in Connecticut (known as HUSKY – Health Care for Uninsured Kids and Youth) is publicly administered, Medicare for All CT has also supported related legislation which expands the pool of residents eligible for the program.

Sponsor Rep. Anne Hughes.  Co-sponsors: Sen. Marilyn Moore, Rep. Robyn Porter, Rep. David Michel, Rep. Mike Winkler; 2ndary co-sponsors Reb Brandon Chafee, Reb. Edwin Vargas, Rep. Anthony L. Nolan.  (8/151 Reps.; 1/36 Sen.)

Find a way to get the SB1090 study done more affordably than the state committee anticipates.

Where can people find news about Single Payer in your state and/or join a group?*

Medicare for All CT Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Medicare4allCT/. Also info@medicare4allct.org