The House of Representatives passed two bills Thursday related to the issue of health care.
One would extend Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive order regarding telemedicine appointments. It would require insurers to reimburse doctors the same amount for a telehealth visit as an in-person visit. The bill allows doctors to communicate over a number of platforms, including an old-fashioned phone call.
The bill, which passed 145-0, extends those telehealth benefits through March 15, 2021.
A second bill would cap the cost of insulin and equipment for diabetics for anyone on a state-regulated insurance plan.
The bill wouldn’t be able to be implemented until 2022 because the insurance rates for 2021 are expected to be released Friday. There is not enough time for insurers to account for the changes to put them into effect for 2021.
Rep. Gary Turco, D-Newington, said he knows that it only helps a limited number of people, but hopefully capping these costs will prompt a national discussion and maybe Congress can pass something to impact federally regulated plans, too.
Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, said for the first time lawmakers are taking on an issue that has “been unimpeded in terms of the amount of money that it’s costing the people of this state.”
“One in four of our neighbors in Connecticut is rationing their insulin,” Scanlon said.
The bill passed 142-4.