Connecticut
HUSKY A Medicaid changes coming this fall
As of March 2024, over 140,000 people are enrolled in the states HUSKY A Medicaid program, which helps to provide healthcare coverage for low-income parents and caretakers of parents.
This number is expected to drop once the new income eligibility requirements go into effect in October.
The Connecticut Health Foundation estimates this will impact over 15,000 people across the state.
“It’s something that our Medicaid program needed to do to comply with the federal government standards,” said Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of Research Karl Minges from the University of New Haven’s School of Health Sciences.
As part of the state American Rescue Plan Act Budget for 2024, the income will drop from the currently requirement, which is 160% of the federal poverty level, to 138%. This means parents and caretakers will need to make even less money to qualify for the program.
“This means, that for a family of two, the income limited used to be around $32,000,” Connecticut Health Foundation President and CEO Tiffany Donelson said. “It has moved to $28,000 in order for you to be eligible.”
The Department of Social Services said many of the people who will no longer qualify for HUSKY A should qualify for a program called Covered Connecticut.
“The hope is that many of these parents and caregivers can transition to Covered Connecticut,” Donelson said. “It does provide coverage for individuals who are just above the eligibility limit for HUSKY.”
Covered Connecticut was introduced in 2021, but will only extend funding for an additional year due to ARPA funding.
“We’re going to need to have continued pressure on congressional entities at the state and federal level to continue this program,” Minges said. “Otherwise, it will expire within that one-year period.”
Amtrak says it will not close any railroad bridges along Connecticut’s shoreline during the 2026 World Cup, backing away from a potential proposal that had sparked concerns from boaters, harbor officials, and marine businesses.
In an email Tuesday to NBC Connecticut, Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams said: “At this time, in coordination with the Coast Guard, we will not be closing any bridges on the Connecticut Coast Line during the tournament.”
The statement is a shift from a plan previously circulating among members of the boating community. That proposal outlined possible hourslong closures of several movable railroad bridges on the Connecticut shoreline on dates tied to World Cup matches in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The affected bridges would have included the spans over the Connecticut River, Niantic River, Shaw’s Cove, Thames River and Mystic River.
The proposal had raised alarms among charter boat operators, harbor masters and marine industry leaders, who warned the closures could disrupt navigation during the height of the summer season, create safety risks on crowded waterways and hurt businesses that depend on fishing and recreational boating.
Amtrak also said is “exploring all options to move travelers safely and reliably during the World Cup with minimal interruption and inconvenience to local communities, visitors, and other stakeholders and travelers.”
Fans are expected to use rail service along the Northeast Corridor to travel to matches in the Northeast, including in the Boston area, where passengers would use connecting service to reach the stadium in Foxborough.
Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard told NBC Connecticut it was reviewing Amtrak’s request related to the bridge proposal.
“The Coast Guard has received Amtrak’s request for the bridge closures and are reviewing it to reach a final decision. When that decision is made, the Coast Guard will work with Amtrak. We are also aware of the mariners and boating communities concerns regarding this,” the Coast Guard had said.
It was not immediately clear whether Amtrak had formally withdrawn that request or whether the rail operator’s latest statement means the bridge closures are no longer under consideration.
NBC Connecticut reached out to the Coast Guard to request additional information.
-
Austin, TX49 seconds agoTexas DMV launches authorization system for automated commercial vehicles
-
Alabama7 minutes agoNew Alabama Privacy Law Adds to Compliance Challenges for Businesses | PYMNTS.com
-
Alaska13 minutes agoAlaska’s embattled economic development agency approves $700,000 PR budget
-
Arizona19 minutes agoPilot Jessica Cox to be inducted into Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
-
Arkansas25 minutes agoEffort to cut former Arkansas corrections secretary’s position as adviser to governor fails – Arkansas Times
-
California31 minutes agoCalifornia sees lowest number of firearm-related deaths since 1968, new data shows
-
Colorado37 minutes agoSouthern Colorado farmers’ market season is here
-
Connecticut43 minutes agoAmtrak won’t close shoreline rail bridges during World Cup, reversing earlier proposal