Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais warns that the recent changes could significantly impact everyone who depends on affordable coverage.
HARTFORD, Conn. — In the wake of this week’s newly enacted federal policy changes, officials from the Connecticut Insurance Department, or CID, are issuing a stern warning.
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais said in a statement Thursday that health insurance coverage could be at risk for thousands of families in the state.
Mais specifically pointed to the changes made by the recently passed budget reconciliation bill and the finalized U.S. Department of Human Services, or HHS, Marketplace Integrity Rule.
“These changes could have a significant impact not just on those who lose enhanced subsidies, but on everyone who depends on affordable coverage,” Mais said.
The commissioner continued to note that the changes could increase the number of uninsured individuals in Connecticut, strain already overburdened hospitals and providers and shift costs onto commercial insurance customers, including those that use Access Health CT.
“That means higher premiums and real risk for many Connecticut residents,” Mais said.
The federal changes include restricting enrollment access. This includes cutting the open enrollment period, removing assistance for many non-citizens and DACA recipients and eliminating Special Enrollment Periods for low-income individuals.
Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines
The changes also entail imposing new administrative hurdles, which include requiring full eligibility verification before assistance, ending automatic renewals and demanding upfront payment of past-due premiums.
Additionally, the changes reduce plan quality and consumer protections by lowering actuarial value standards and doing away with limits on IRS recapture of premium tax credits. This could lead to higher out-of-pocket costs and less covered services for consumers.
In the CID release, Mais and his team report that in 2025, more than 150,000 Connecticut residents are enrolled in Affordable Care Act, or ACA, plans through Access Health CT.
However, CID officials say that the recent federal changes could put as many as 35% of these consumers at risk of losing their coverage by 2034.
The scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of this year could impact more than 137,000 individuals across close to 100,000 Connecticut households. Mais said that many of these individuals rely on this financial help to keep their health insurance affordable.
Moving forward, CID recommends that consumers stay knowledgeable and contact Access Health CT or CID directly with any questions or concerns about their health coverage.
RELATED: Connecticut AG Tong believes insurers can do more to lower rising healthcare costs
RELATED: State officials react to Congress passing Trump tax bill
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
FOLLOW US ON X, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
link