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Connecticut, like other states, launched an online health exchange -- Access Health CT -- where residents can shop for and purchase health insurance. There could be new opportunities for the unemployed or uninsured to receive health insurance. Here, we gather our coverage of changes under the new federal law.

What The Affordable Care Act Court Ruling Means For Connecticut

Courtesy of Access Health CT

A federal appeals court in New Orleans dealt another blow to the Affordable Care Act last week, saying the requirement under the law to have health insurance is unconstitutional. But the court sidestepped the question of whether the health law itself is invalid.

We spoke with Pat Baker, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation, and Connecticut Public Radio’s health reporter Nicole Leonard about what this means for the state’ residents.

Here are highlights from the conversation:

On What The Ruling Means Now

Baker: Despite this ruling, the ACA is still in place in Connecticut. We’re in an open enrollment period through Jan. 15. There’s nothing prohibiting anyone from signing up. The coverage that they secure will be safe throughout 2020. And the protections that have been in place due to the Affordable Care Act are still in place.

On What The Ruling Means Moving Forward

Baker: By remanding the issue of severability back to the lower court, that adds time to this process. Many states, including Connecticut are appealing this to the Supreme Court. The question is: Will the Supreme Court take it? And can they take it in this session, or will that be the following year?

On How The Ruling May Affect the 2020 Presidential Campaign

Baker: Whatever happens, it means that health care, one of the top issues for the voting public, is going to be front and center in this election year.

Leonard: If you look at the candidates right now, some are running on platforms that want to introduce new, reformed health care laws. And then there are some that want to build on the existing Affordable Care Act.

So it’ll be interesting to see. If there’s a higher likelihood that the ACA will be repealed, will it make it easier for candidates to say, “Here’s my new plan for the country’s health care system?” Or will it make it more difficult for them to go forward on their individual health plans?

Editor's note: The Connecticut Health Foundation is a supporter of Connecticut Public Radio.

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Here and Now; and The World from PRX. She spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.