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Connecticut, like other states, launched an online health exchange -- Access Health CT -- where residents can shop for and purchase health insurance. There could be new opportunities for the unemployed or uninsured to receive health insurance. Here, we gather our coverage of changes under the new federal law.

Blumenthal: SCOTUS Nominee Likely To Decide Fate Of Key Obamacare Provision

Ryan Caron King
/
WNPR

On Monday, President Trump is expected announce his choice to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Much of the attention has been on how that nominee could impact abortion laws in the U.S.

But Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is also concerned about an upcoming Supreme Court case that could upend a major provision of the Affordable Care Act.

“This case, Texas v. The United States will go to the United States Supreme Court sometime within the next year or two,” said Blumenthal on Thursday at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. “This nominee will be the decisive, crucial swing vote on whether to uphold the protections for people who suffer with pre-existing conditions.”

If the state of Texas wins the case, people with pre-existing conditions, things like cancer, diabetes, and even pregnancy could be charged higher health insurance premiums or be denied coverage altogether. Blumenthal said how the nominee comes down on this issue will be crucial.

“I will oppose and fight any nominee who fails to commit her or his support for the protections of people who suffer from pre-existing conditions,” said Blumenthal.

Blumenthal also took issue with the Justice Department’s announcement last month that it would not defend the law in Texas v. United States of America, calling it a decision by the DOJ to “take the radical, right-wing view” to dismantle the ACA.

Blumenthal said there are about 500,00 adults and 200,000 children in Connecticut who have pre-existing conditions.

Ray Hardman is Connecticut Public’s Arts and Culture Reporter. He is the host of CPTV’s Emmy-nominated original series Where Art Thou? Listeners to Connecticut Public Radio may know Ray as the local voice of Morning Edition, and later of All Things Considered.

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