ConnecticutState plans a hospital hospice pilot for some Medicaid patients
The law directs the state to plan a hospital hospice pilot for some hospice-eligible Medicaid patients, but implementation depends on specific funding.
What it does
The Department of Social Services must develop a pilot using a licensed short-term hospital hospice for Medicaid patients who qualify for hospice but cannot safely be cared for at home or in a nursing facility. The department must implement it by December 30, 2027, only if money is specifically set aside.
The commissioner or a designee must report on the pilot's development, possible savings, and recommendations for funding or legal changes.
Argument forA hospital hospice option could give some complex Medicaid patients care they cannot safely receive at home or in a nursing facility.
Argument againstIf lawmakers do not set aside money for the pilot, the department may not implement it, leaving eligible patients without this care option.
More detail
The law directs the Department of Social Services to develop a pilot program. The pilot is for Medicaid patients with advanced illness who qualify for hospice and are clinically complex, high-acuity patients who cannot safely be cared for at home or in a skilled nursing facility. The department may implement the pilot only with money specifically set aside for it. The hospice must obtain the proper license before providing care outside its current license. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The department must implement the pilot by December 30, 2027, if specific funding is available.
The commissioner or a designee must report on the pilot's development to legislative committees. The report goes to legislative committees responsible for appropriations, human services, and public health. The report must include any potential savings and recommendations for funding or changes to state law. The report is due by January 15, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2SIGNED BY Governor Ned LamontBecame Law
- May 22TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNORTo Governor
- May 22TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE
- May 19PUBLIC ACT 26-71
- May 6
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 332. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5IN CONCURRENCE
- May 5SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. APassed Senate
- May 5SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. AMajor
- May 5RULES SUSPENDED
- May 4SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 540
- Vote recorded House Roll Call Vote. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded House Roll Call Vote 217. Result: pass.Lower
- May 4FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.Minor
- May 4TRANSMITTED PURSUANT TO JOINT RULE 17
- May 4HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. APassed House
- May 4HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. AMajor
- Apr 7FILE NO. 426
- Apr 7HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 310
- Apr 7FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDARMinor
- Apr 7RPTD. OUT OF LCO
- Mar 30REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26Minor
- Mar 20FILED WITH LCOMinor
- Mar 19Joint FavorableMinor
- Mar 6PUBLIC HEARING 0310
- Mar 5REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human ServicesIntroduced
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