Actions in Washington, DC over the past week have sown a lot of confusion here in Connecticut and across the country over the current status and fate of the Affordable Care Act (aka “ACA” or “Obamacare”). There are many different synopses online about the bill that was passed – which is called the American Health Care Act – but the most important thing to know right now is that as of today, very little has changed.

If you have a plan through Access Health CT – you keep that plan until the end of the year. If you have HUSKY – you keep HUSKY. Employer sponsored insurance and Medicare have not changed yet.

Although the US House of Representatives did pass the American Health Care Act, the bill now has to pass the US Senate. Most experts believe the US Senate will make significant changes to the bill, which will then require another process, since the bill has to pass both the House and Senate in the same form.

Regardless, it does appear that the United States will have a new bill passed into law in the next month or so, which will make significant changes that will impact people on Medicaid (HUSKY), Access Health CT, Medicare – and even those with insurance through their employers.

Here are a few of the changes we are likely to see in the new bill:

The federal government would significantly cut subsidies that currently assist people in purchasing health insurance through Access Health CT and other insurance exchanges.

Plus – one change, which did not require Congressional approval, has already been announced: Open Enrollment for 2018 will begin November 1, 2017 and run through December 15, 2017. This is a much shorter cycle than in past years, so CHCACT and FQHCs will need to get the word out to remind people to make appointments to enroll for 2018!

CHCACT will continue to keep you informed about these important issues. If you have any questions, please reach out to me!

Deb