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As CDC redesigns annual health survey, it removes questions about disabilities
O. Rose Broderick, STAT News, Oct. 1
Proposed changes to the federal government’s annual health survey would result in significant undercounting of Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to advocates. The new version of the National Health Interview Survey would remove several disability-related questions, despite the fact that more than a quarter of Americans have a disability. Getting better health outcomes data is critical for this population, which often faces health disparities. “It feels as if our government doesn’t care about the well-being of disabled people, doesn’t care about the well-being of folks with some of the worst health outcomes,” said Scott Landes, a sociology professor at Syracuse University.
Thousands of refugees, asylees and others lose Medicaid, but CT has safety nets
Sujata Srinivasan, Connecticut Public Radio, Oct. 1
State officials estimate approximately 3,200 noncitizens in Connecticut lost eligibility for Medicaid coverage due to changes in federal rules, from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Under that law, some people who are legally in the U.S., including refugees and asylees, are no longer eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Those affected by the changes will not be eligible for subsidized plans through the state insurance exchange, Access Health CT, starting Jan. 1, 2027. Children, pregnant people, and postpartum people remain eligible for HUSKY regardless of immigration status.
Lamont touts CT response to Medicaid cuts, stops short of pledging funds
Katy Golvala, The Connecticut Mirror, Oct. 5
Medicaid work requirements that take effect on Jan. 1 will threaten coverage for roughly 108,000 Connecticut residents enrolled in HUSKY D, according to the Department of Social Services. The state has stepped in with funding to help fill the gap in the wake of other federal cuts, including $115 million to offset the expiration of federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans. However, Governor Ned Lamont stopped short of pledging state dollars to help offset federal cuts to Medicaid. “My first priority is what we’re doing right here. Make sure everybody that is eligible for Medicaid and SNAP take advantage of that. Before I go running to the state taxpayers, I’d like to see the feds step up and do what their piece of the responsibility is as well,” he said.
Hospitals have a little-known tool to prevent medical debt. Here’s how it works.
Melanie Evans, Tradeoffs, Sept. 30
One way patients can avoid medical debt is through hospital financial assistance, but getting the assistance can be challenging. Many patients don’t know that hospitals offer financial help, and complex application forms create barriers. However, states and hospitals are testing an emerging approach to fix this problem: automatically screening patients to see if they qualify for assistance and if they do, automatically wiping out their debt. At least 11 states require hospitals to wipe out bills for low-income patients, though income cutoffs vary. Nearly all nonprofit hospitals say they screen and automatically reduce bills for certain patients.
Health care’s emerging risk: unauthorized AI agents
Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, Oct. 5
The growing use of AI agents in health care is posing new safety and privacy concerns. Digital security professionals are warning that hospitals and other organizations will have to think about safeguards to prevent AI tools from exposing personal health information and violating privacy laws. However, AI agents pose a unique challenge because unlike traditional software, they can make plans, launch workflows and act independently. Rural hospitals and clinics with tight budgets and overworked staff may need AI solutions the most, but could be especially vulnerable.