Connecticut State Specific Strategies
State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) –SAGA provides medical assistance for adults who do not qualify for Medicaid (HUSKY) or who are awaiting eligibility determination. Unlike Medicaid, there are no categorical program requirements; eligibility is based on income and assets only. Approximately 31,800 individuals were receiving medical assistance via the SAGA program as of June 2006.
Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s (CBIA) Health Connections - CBIA – a statewide, private, business organization – launched its purchasing cooperative, Health Connections, in 1995. Health Connections, designed for companies with 3 to 100 employees, allows small firms to take advantage of competitive premium rates, and allows employees a choice of health insurance. As of October 2006, Health Connections provides coverage to over 4,500 firms and covers more than 65,000 lives.
