Connecticut Pushing Ahead With New Health Care Exchange

Connecticut is among the states that are furthest along in preparing to enroll patients this fall in the new health insurance marketplace known as an exchange. But the state has discovered that being first comes with some challenges. The staff at the quasi-public exchange, called Access Health CT, has had to build both an agency and an online marketplace from the ground up. They have to rely on directives and guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that can change or that need to be clarified. Kevin Counihan, the exchange's CEO, told HHS last month that Connecticut's exchange would have to stop implementing any new federal regulations as of March 1, in order to focus on getting ready for user testing planned for June 4.

Psychiatric Service Agency Audited Over Finances

 http://www.theday.com

A southeast Connecticut provider of psychiatric services is being audited by the state following a whistleblower complaint about its finances. The Day of New London reports that Sound Community Services has been probed by state officials over high employee turnover, complaints about harsh management and a lack of medical professionals to prescribe and monitor psychiatric medications. The office of the State Auditors of Public Accounts is now reviewing the agency in response to a whistleblower's complaint. It's examining payroll and charge card statements of Chief Executive Officer Gail Lawson, Chief Financial Officer Cindy Kirchhoff and Chief Informatics Officer Christopher Bish to determine if expenses and payments were accounted for properly and kept separate from state money used to support agency programs. The newspaper said none of the executives responded to requests for comment.

Connecticut Sentencing Commission To Offer Law Changes

Lawmakers are considering proposals from the Connecticut Sentencing Commission that would change juvenile sentences. The General Assembly's Judiciary Committee is scheduled on Monday to hear testimony on a package of recommendations from the commission, which is charged with reviewing the state's criminal justice and sentencing policies and laws. One proposal would allow juvenile offenders convicted of a serious crime and serving sentences of 60 years or less to be eligible for parole after serving one-half of their sentences, or 10 years, whichever is greater. Only offenders serving sentences of more than 10 years based on crimes they committed under the age of 18 would be eligible. Juvenile offenders serving sentences of more than 60 years would be eligible for parole after serving 30 years, or half of a life sentence.

Committee To Take Up Various Gun Bills

The Connecticut General Assembly's Public Safety Committee is pushing ahead with a public hearing on myriad gun control proposals, offered by lawmakers in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Newtown. The hearing comes as legislative leaders are expected to continue meeting behind closed doors Monday to discuss a possible bipartisan package that addresses the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Leaders have said they hope to schedule a vote of the full General Assembly on that package soon. Despite efforts to pass a comprehensive set of reforms, individual lawmakers have authored numerous gun control bills that are making their way through the legislative process. Criminal background checks for private gun sales and the registration of all firearms are among the bills up for discussion on Thursday.

Connecticut Anti-Gun-Violence Cyclists Pedal To DC

They are biking from Newtown to Washington to send a message. Twenty-six cyclists are riding more than 400 miles in support of what they describe as common-sense solutions to prevent gun violence. There is one rider for each victim of December's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in which 20 children and six educators were gunned down. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut calls the ride a "rolling rally" against special interests, particularly the National Rifle Association. The riders are expected to arrive at Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Blumenthal says the Judiciary Committee is expected to meet soon to evaluate changes to gun laws.

Case Raises Questions On Consent To Sadomasochism

Can mentally ill people consent to sadomasochistic sex? Can anyone consent to abusive sexual acts? Connecticut's highest court has decided to take up those questions in the unusual case of a Greenwich  woman suing a man she alleges had an abusive sexual relationship with her daughter. Arguments are scheduled for Wednesday. Mary Kortner sued fellow Greenwich resident Craig Martise in 2006. She said her daughter, Caroline Kendall Kortner, could not have consented to sadomasochistic sex acts with him in 2003 because she had been diagnosed with depression and borderline personality disorder. She also was partially paralyzed from a stroke. Caroline Kendall Kortner died in 2010 from an undisclosed illness. She was 39. A state jury, however, found in Martise's favor, saying the relationship was consensual. Kortner is appealing.

Residents Urged To Seek Heating Assistance

Governor  Malloy is reminding Connecticut residents who need help paying winter heating bills that there is still time to apply for federal energy assistance benefits. Malloy says even with federal budget cuts there should be enough money available to serve all residents in the state eligible for the program. The deadline for applying is May 1, although households heating with oil, kerosene or propane are encouraged to apply by March 15 to be able to access full benefits. Nearly 100,000 applications have been received so far this winter, with over 82,000 households approved for basic benefits of up to $575. Eligibility is based on household size, income and liquid assets. In addition to calling 2-1-1, the public can get information on eligibility requirements and benefits by visiting www.ct.gov/staywarm.