Connecticut Senate Bill SB01161

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/11
• Refer: 3/10/11

Caption

An Act Concerning The Department Of Social Services' Implementation Of Policies And Procedures Relating To The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act And The Health Care And Education Reconciliation Act.

Impact

The bill empowers the Department of Social Services by enabling it to act swiftly in implementing crucial healthcare policies as outlined by the federal guidelines. By permitting the Commissioner to implement policies with specific notice requirements rather than waiting for formal regulations to be adopted, the bill aims to enhance responsiveness to federal mandates. This could significantly reduce delays in policy deployment that may affect healthcare delivery within the state.

Summary

SB01161 is an Act concerning the Department of Social Services' implementation of policies and procedures relating to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. It is designed to allow the Commissioner of Social Services to initiate the implementation of necessary procedures prior to adopting them in a formal regulatory framework. This is aimed at ensuring compliance with mandatory or optional provisions of federal healthcare laws intended to streamline operations and facilitate timely adaptations to evolving healthcare policies.

Contention

Notably, concerns may arise regarding the breadth of authority granted to the Commissioner, particularly in the context of public oversight and the legislative process. The requirement for notifying the relevant standing committees does provide a degree of legislative check; however, stakeholders could argue that immediate implementation could bypass critical public input and regulatory scrutiny. The act hence invites discussions regarding the balance between efficiency in healthcare policy implementation and the accountability of governmental departments.