February 3, 2009

REP. WALKER EXPRESSES CONCERNS
ABOUT HUSKY HEALTHCARE TRANSITION

State Representative Toni Walker and several other legislators held a press conference to voice their concerns regarding the decision of the Department of Social Services (DSS) to randomly re-assign over 80,000 low-income HUSKY healthcare clients to a pair of for-profit managed care providers without ensuring adequate service. The transition is effective on February 1st.

"These clients have been poked and prodded for years with on again, off again coverage and co-pays," Rep. Walker said. "We are concerned that this decision has not been well-thought out and will compromise the healthcare for thousands of families."

The problem is a result of Governor Rell's decision to put HUSKY out to bid with the Charter Oak health plan she created last year. When the Charter Oak plan's low reimbursement rates caused problems with physician participation, DSS decided to allow providers the option of participating in only the HUSKY program.

HUSKY currently serves about 350,000 residents, but the state is forcing 83,000 HUSKY participants to transition into one of two for-profit HMOs. Legislators are concerned about the upheavals that will be caused by transitioning individuals to programs with inadequate provider participation.

Charter Oak Health Plan was created to provide health insurance to uninsured adults, while HUSKY was established several years ago for low-income children and their families.