States have the option under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to create a Basic Health Program (SBHP) for state residents who do not qualify for Medicaid but whose incomes are still relatively low. The SBHP would offer state administered coverage in place of subsidized private insurance purchased through a state Exchange to people with no other source of health insurance whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). In an earlier research brief, we presented the factors that Connecticut should examine in evaluating the potential benefits of a SBHP, and concluded that there was the potential to design a SBHP with comprehensive benefits that was more affordable to individuals and cost neutral to the state.1 This update presents further issues to consider in assessing the desirability of a SBHP and the optimal timing for implementing it.

Client/Partner: Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut