CT universal health plan would tax providers

A group of Connecticut's Democratic lawmakers are floating a $900 million universal health plan which would depend, in part, on revenue from health care provider taxes. The plan would also rely on increased cigarette taxes and a tax on elective cosmetic surgery. To expand coverage, the state Dems' plan would give small businesses tax incentives to insure their employees while subsidizing premium costs heavily. It would also expand Medicaid eligibility and subsidize low-income worker buy-in to health insurance.

For the state's providers, the plan seems like a wash at best. On the one hand, Medicaid providers would get a 30 percent reimbursement hike, but on the other, all providers would also face a 3 percent tax. Not surprisingly, provider groups don't like the proposal.

To find out more about the plan:
- read this article from the Hartford Courant

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