CT Health Providers Work to Curb HUSKY Losses from 'Big Beautiful' Bill

This article by Katy Golvala was originally posted by the Connecticut Mirror on August 19, 2026

Connecticut officials are gearing up for sweeping changes to Medicaid, the joint federal-state program that provides insurance coverage for low-income Americans. Medicaid, known as HUSKY in Connecticut, covers around 939,000 residents, or a quarter of the state’s population.

Come January, federal policy changes to Medicaid eligibility — passed as part of House Resolution 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — will go into effect. Many state officials and industry leaders are warning the changes will lead to massive losses in coverage.

The state Department of Social Services, DSS, estimates that roughly 110,000 residents stand to lose their HUSKY coverage unless they can demonstrate compliance with new requirements.

Some Connecticut healthcare providers and local officials are setting up programs that aim to curb coverage losses.

“When people don’t have coverage, they delay care,” said Kathleen Silard, president and CEO of Stamford Health. “It is our obligation and our responsibility to provide this support to the individuals in our community.”

Hospitals also have a financial incentive to minimize coverage loss. Even though the industry has for years been telling the state that the amount they’re paid to treat patients with Medicaid coverage is woefully low, it’s still more financially sustainable than treating patients with no coverage at all. 

Read the full article at: https://ctmirror.org/2026/08/19/ct-health-providers-husky-losses-hr1/