Connecticut
Opinion: Good retiree healthcare coverage — a moving target
A response to Medicare or Medicare Advantage – CT employees want a choice by James W. Russell:
I agree with Russell’s frustration over the increasing privatization of Medicare. The health care eco-system, in Connectiut and nationally, is ever-changing and is now very different today than it was in 2018 when the State of Connecticut implemented a private, customized Medicare Employer Group Waiver (EGWP – pronounced “egg-whip”) plan for its’ retirees.
At that time, providers were generally accepting EGWP Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. Today, in-state and beyond, more providers are rejecting private Medicare, both EGWP plans and individual Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, for all the reasons Russell articulated – high claim denials, delayed payments, and crushing administrative requirements – plus, increasingly, extremely low provider reimbursement rates.
Unlike State of Connecticut retirees, Connecticut teacher retirees are not limited to one Medicare plan. Retired Connecticut teachers may choose between a customized EGWP plan (different from state retirees), or original Medicare with a supplement for out-of-pocket costs.
Only about 10% of retired teachers choose the original Medicare/supplement option. Those who do are typically older individuals with higher health care resource needs who pay dearly for what they get from original Medicare – access to most providers nationwide and for their own treating provider (not an insurance company) to determine their medical needs and amount/length of services.
There’s no perfect solution, and there are unintended consequences for every health care decision balancing access to care, quality, and cost, but the conversation about how best to achieve that balance must be continuous for state retirees, retired teachers, and for one in five state residents insured by Medicare.
In the meantime, the best answer is to fight the fights you can win against private Medicare plans.
A 2018 report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that less than one-percent of Medicare beneficiaries appeal a denial, but when they do, 75% of the time, that denial is over-turned on the first appeal.
Challenging insurance companies is critical, even if you do not have the time or energy to pursue a problem yourself. Connecticut has several free insurance assistance options for Medicare beneficiaries, in addition to professional help through the Comptroller’s Office (for state retirees) or the Teacher’s Retirement Board (for retired teachers).
For further help with free insurance appeals, and other health insurance assistance, such as seeking exceptions to insurance company rules, contact the CT Office of the Healthcare Advocate (866) 466-4446, Healthcare.Advocate@ct.gov; or the private, non-profit law organization, the Center for Medicare Advocacy (860) 456-7790, Communications@medicareadvocacy.org.
Kathleen Holt is the Acting CT Healthcare Advocate. She is an appointed public member of the CT Teacher’s Retirement Board, Chairs the Board of Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, and was previously Associate Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
The Greater Danbury area isn’t exactly known as a buffet hotspot, but if you’re willing to venture beyond your zip code, the state delivers some awe-inspiring all-you-can-eat experiences. A recent “Only In Your State” feature crowned one buffet as the best in Connecticut — and that raised a very local question: Do any buffets near Danbury compare?
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The Top 5 Buffets in Connecticut
Topping the statewide list is the Pacific Buffet & Grill in Wallingford, celebrated by Only In Your State as Connecticut’s best. This place is the gold standard, known for its huge seafood selection, sushi bar, hibachi grill, and sheer variety. Crab legs, shrimp, steak, noodles — it’s all here, and it’s why people happily drive across the state for it.
Other standout buffets earning consistent praise include Osaka Hibachi Buffet in Stratford, loved for its cleanliness and sushi options, and Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in South Plainfield, which boasts hundreds of rotating items and a popular cook-to-order hibachi station. Rounding out the top five are Imperial China Buffet in Watertown a dependable classic, and Royal Buffet Sushi and Grill in New Milford, which is especially important for Greater Danbury diners.
So… What About Buffets Near Danbury?
Here’s the honest truth: Danbury doesn’t have a Pacific-level buffet. But there are a couple of respectable local options. Grand Century Buffet at 1 Padanaram Road remains the city’s most familiar buffet, offering a wide selection at reasonable prices. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done.
Meanwhile, Agogo Asian & Sushi Buffet, 15-19 Backus Ave., has earned strong reviews for quality — especially sushi — even if the buffet itself is smaller than the state’s heavy hitters.
The Bottom Line
If you’re chasing Connecticut’s best buffet, it’s worth the drive. But if you’re staying local, New Milford and Danbury still offer solid options that satisfy the all-you-can-eat craving without a road trip.
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As 2026 begins, Connecticut is gearing up another busy news year. The legislature is in session beginning next month, with numerous items up for consideration that could have an impact on residents. Also, Gov. Ned Lamont is seeking a third term and the entire General Assembly is up for election, which could alter the balance of power in Connecticut.
Also in 2026, new laws on housing, cancer screening, absentee ballots and more went into effect January 1.
But before we get too far into 2026, let’s take a look back at CTNewsJunkie’s biggest stories of 2025, as determined by our readers. In scanning the list of top 10 most-read stories, transportation, elections, new laws, a new state holiday and clean energy emerged as popular reads.
Credit: Olga Maksimava / Shutterstock
Transportation
It is easy to see what weighs most on readers’ minds, as transportation-related stories made up fully half of the 10 most popular stories list.
Four of the top 10 stories (#s 2, 3, 8 and 10 on the list) dealt with traffic cameras. What towns have been approved for them? What towns are applying? What are the rules for using them to enforce speed? How much revenue do they generate? These were all questions on the minds of readers.
The fifth transit-related story, and sixth-most popular overall, dealt with the construction of the new Naugatuck Metro-North train station and overhaul of the surrounding area into a mixed-use community.
New laws
Two of CTNewsJunkie’s top 10 stories of 2025 dealt with new state laws. Our Dec. 19 story about new laws taking effect January 1 came in at #7, and a similar story in June about new laws taking effect July 1 ranked #9 for the year.
Offshore wind
CTNewsJunkie’s coverage of the Revolution Wind project proved popular with readers, but only one story on that topic cracked the annual top 10. Published on Dec. 26, traditionally a slow news day, the story about four northeastern governors demanding a briefing on the alleged national security concerns of offshore wind generation drew enough interest to rank #5 on the annual list.
Light overcomes darkness
Connecticut gained a new state holiday in 2025, and readers made the story about the announcement the fourth-most popular story of the year.
Public Act 25-59 established Diwali as a state holiday. Connecticut is only the second state to recognize the Southeast Asian holiday celebrating the victory of light over darkness. The state holiday officially is the 15th day of the month Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar. In the Gregorian calendar the holiday typically falls in September or October.
Democrats roll in municipal elections
CTNewsJunkie’s most-read story of 2025, by far, was the Nov. 5 story detailing the results of the Nov. 4 municipal elections. Connecticut’s political landscape changed dramatically in one day, with 27 towns flipping from Republican to Democratic leadership. In contrast, one town — Easton — flipped the other way, with a Republican replacing an incumbent Democrat who did not seek reelection.
At just over 36%, voter turnout was about 10% higher than average for an odd-numbered year.
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