Senator Applauds Restoration Of Medicare Savings Program Funds

HARTFORD, CT — State Senator Paul Formica (Republican-East Lyme) has released a statement regarding the Connecticut General Assembly’s passage of a bipartisan bill that restores funding for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) in fiscal year 2018. The statement was released Monday.

Eligibility levels for the MSP were adjusted in the bipartisan budget approved last year. After learning about the impact of these funding reductions, lawmakers worked together to restore the funding by making adjustments to the state budget in a bill that was passed by the legislature Monday, according to a release.

“Thank you to all the seniors and disabled individuals who shared your stories and experiences with state lawmakers,” Formica said in a release. “It was your voices that moved the legislature to make these changes to the bipartisan state budget to reinstate current eligibility levels for this important program. I also want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together to identify a plan that allows us to restore this funding without worsening this year’s deficit. I hope that this bipartisan spirit will continue to guide our efforts move our state forward, tackle the state budget deficit in full, and improve Connecticut’s economy.”

Formica also addressed comments made by Governor Dannel P. Malloy suggesting he may veto the bipartisan bill.

“It is my hope that Gov. Malloy sees the importance of this unified effort among all lawmakers to restore funding for this program," Formica said. "However, should the governor decide to veto this bipartisan bill, the legislature has shown today that we have the votes to override a veto if needed to ensure the Medicare Savings Program is restored in full this year.”

To restore funding for the MSP, lawmakers adopted changes to the budget including funding reductions for executive appointments, consultant fees and duplicative human resource functions in state government.

Formica serves as co-chair of the Appropriations Committee. He represents the communities of East Lyme, Waterford, New London, Bozrah, a portion of Montville, Old Lyme, a portion of Old Saybrook and Salem.

Visit www.senatorformica.com for more information.

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