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When health insurance costs more than the mortgage
Renuka Rayasam, KFF Health News, Feb. 2
More middle-income Americans are facing tough decisions about their health coverage this year due to the loss of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which helped many cover part or all of their marketplace premiums. It comes at a time when health care costs are already surging. Even those who are insured face drastically higher out-of-pocket costs. Nicole Wipp, a self-employed lawyer in South Carolina, decided to drop her family plan and purchase coverage for only her 15-year-old son when she learned the monthly premium would be more than her mortgage payment. “We decided that, ultimately, it would be better for us to gamble,” she said.
The cost of health care, not food or rent, is now Americans’ top worry
Peter Whoriskey, The Washington Post, Jan. 29
Americans’ biggest financial worry is the cost of health care, according to a new poll. Voters say the issue will affect their election choices this year. “Health care is normally thought of as a second-tier issue, but this year it seems that health care affordability is going to move voters,” said Ashley Kirzinger, a pollster for KFF. “The country is looking for someone to take on health care costs.” Over the past five years, the price of health coverage for an employee’s family has risen 26 percent, according to a different KFF survey. Employees are also paying more out of pocket to reach deductible limits.
Medicaid cost, DCF oversight among CT lawmakers’ 2026 priorities
Katy Golvala and Laura Tillman, The Connecticut Mirror, Feb.3
Lawmakers in Connecticut plan to tackle two key health care issues this legislative session. For at least the fourth year in a row, legislators will make another push to meaningfully increase how much the state pays medical providers to treat patients with Medicaid coverage. For years, physicians and lawmakers have said that Medicaid reimbursement rates are too low, making it unaffordable for health care providers to treat patients covered by Medicaid, which decreases access to care for those patients. Another area lawmakers plan to focus on is regulating private equity investment in health care.
LGBTQ+ advocates brace for federal shifts, push state protections in Connecticut
Cris Villalonga-Vivoni, The Darien Times, Feb. 2
LGBTQ+ advocates in Connecticut are hoping legislators will strengthen local and state resources, enforce non-discrimination policies, and improve shield laws this legislative session. In response to several federal efforts targeting the LGBTQ+ community, advocates are calling on the state to enhance protections for members of that community. Another major concern is how Medicaid eligibility changes will impact coverage access for people living with chronic conditions like HIV. “We’re seeing changes across the country and news that’s extremely scary, and we have to really make sure that we are protecting our most vulnerable people right here in Connecticut. It is possible,” said Matt Blinstrubas, executive director of Equality Connecticut.
Rural care could see impact from tighter visa rules
Maya Goldman, Axios, Feb. 4
Rural areas are more than three times as dependent on immigrant doctors than what is expected given their overall immigrant populations, according to researchers. The disproportionate reliance on immigrant doctors could widen gaps in care as the Trump administration tightens immigration restrictions. Rural parts of the country have a difficult time attracting young doctors and are more prone to physician shortages. In response, they have turned to foreign-born and internationally trained doctors. Many health systems also sponsor H1-B visas as a way to attract professionals. Last year, the H1-B visa fee increased dramatically to $100,000 from $3,500. Medical groups say this will make physician shortages worse.