Posted on January 8, 2018
HARTFORD—State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) was called to the State Capitol on Monday, January 8, 2018 and voted enthusiastically to extend funding and benefits to recipients of the Connecticut Medicare Savings Program (MSP) through the end of the fiscal year. The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan plan with a veto-proof majority of 130 to 3.
MSP helps lower income seniors and the disabled pay for Medicare co-insurance, deductibles and premiums. Connecticut was one of five states whose income eligibility limits exceeded the federally established level for program qualification. The budget that was adopted in October reset the eligibility thresholds to match the federal standard, consequently reducing or eliminating coverage for many of the program’s participants. This oversight was the reason the General Assembly convened today, in Special Session, to ensure those who had qualified through the old standards will not see a lapse in benefits or services.
It should also be noted that the state’s Department of Social Services (DSS) in December announced it would delay implementation of the eligibility reduction by two months, giving participants of the program a reprieve from an unexpected jump in their healthcare costs as the state legislature worked to find $53 million to fund the program through June.
“Connecticut’s poor fiscal performance remains a factor in determining how state funds are allocated. As such, funding MSP for the out years will require a constant revisiting of this issue and some digging to develop sustainable solutions, hopefully with federal funding. We’re looking hard at this but, until there is a more permanent fix, I will remain steadfast in advocating that resources be provided to these residents,” said Bolinsky. “Today’s action was positive and ensures no interruption in benefits for the 300-plus Newtown seniors and folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities who rely on the MSP. Also, it was gratifying to have such strong support from both sides of the aisle. Going forward, I’d like to see this bipartisan theme carried forward.”
This change in policy will be paid for with savings from a reduction in state agency managers and consultants, a provision that was part of the adopted budget, but had been ignored by the governor. Other savings actions will include streamlining agency efficiencies by centralizing much of the state’s human resources-related functions into the state’s Department of Administrative Services and requiring the governor to find savings in Executive Branch functions while limiting his ability to cut more than 10 percent from any one program.
State senators approved the plan 32-1 in a vote later in the day.
The 2018 legislative session will convene on Wednesday, February 7th and will focus on improvements to the state budget, including future funding mechanisms for MSP.
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