Medicaid – facing cuts from Gov’s budget – Thousands could lose health care

Rosana Garcia

Medicaid facing threats (again) in the Governor’s Budget

When Governor Malloy released his budget for fiscal years 2017-2019, his proposals had cuts to health care and Medicaid/HUSKY. It’s no secret that the state budget has a deficit of over $1.5 billion dollars next fiscal year, and the Governor’s Budget proposed a lot of cuts and reductions in services.

Tomorrow, at a public hearing in the Human Services Committee, House Bill 7040, which is a Governor’s Bill to implement his proposals, will be discussed. Threats to Medicaid include:

Reducing the income eligibility for HUSKY A parents (and caregivers) from 155% of the federal poverty level (FPL), to 138% of FPL. What does that mean in real dollar terms? Parents (and caregivers) will lose their HUSKY A coverage if they make more than:

1. $1,868 a month ($22,411 a year) for a family of 2
2. $2,348 a month ($28,180 a year) for a family of 3
3. $2,829 a month (33,948 a year) for a family of 4

Capping the adult dental benefit in HUSKY/Medicaid at $1,000.
Eliminating the Medicare Part D drug copay protection for dual eligibles (people who are on Medicaid and Medicare, who often have complex health conditions that require medications).