Connecticut lawmaker asks Gov. Rell to delay implementation of Charter Oak health plan

Connecticut House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan (D) on Tuesday asked Gov. Jodie Rell (R) to delay implementing a new health plan for uninsured adults because of concerns that it could disrupt care for children in low-income families, the Hartford Courant reports.

The administration plans to merge the new Charter Oak health plan with HUSKY, which covers 320,000 low-income children and adults who are eligible for Medicaid. Charter Oak is expected to cover about 20,000 adults next year and about 50,000 by 2011.

The state is accepting bids for the combined program contract. HealthNet and WellCare, two of the four HUSKY providers, left the program in April, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut withdrew from the bidding for the combined program in March, citing "concerns about inadequate state funding." Two other insurers bidding on the program do not have provider networks established in the state. HUSKY beneficiaries will have six months, starting July 1, to transition to new HUSKY providers. Sheldon Toubman, a Connecticut legal aid attorney, said the merger could force thousands of HUSKY beneficiaries to find new physicians for the second time in less than one year.

Child advocates also worry that covering uninsured adults could be too costly and would weaken HUSKY. "Give kudos to the governor for at least trying something different," Liz Brown, legislative liaison for the Connecticut Commission on Children, said. She added, "But our concern is this would divert resources from a population that was much more needy."

Rell has no plans to delay the program, according to spokesperson Chris Cooper. Cooper said, "We know the need is out there for credible and affordable health coverage," and Charter Oak "fits the bill." Donovan said some state lawmakers would like to hold a special session next week to discuss delaying Charter Oak (Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 6/4).