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State to help train insurance brokers for underserved cities

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut’s health care exchange announced plans Wednesday to launch a training program for licensed independent insurance brokers in the state’s three largest cities.

James Michel, the chief executive of Access Health CT, said once these brokers are licensed, they will be certified to sell insurance on the state’s health care exchange and will not be tied to any particular insurance carriers. The plan is to have the brokers in the markets by November, when enrollment in the exchange begins.

“It will increase the opportunity for coverage, especially at a time when health insurance is more affordable than ever for many through Access Health and the subsidies provided by the American Rescue Plan,” he said.

Michel said the Broker Academy will expand access to health insurance for underserved communities in greater Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford by placing insurance brokers where there currently are none.

The first class, to be launched in June, is to include 100 students. Those chosen will receive free training, a three-month apprenticeship with an experienced insurance broker, professional development and program support, including a free laptop computer.

“We don't get anything from them other than the benefit of them doing good work for their communities in helping us to lower the uninsured and move closer to eliminating health disparities in Connecticut,” Michel said.

Michel said plans call for expanding the program to other cities after the initial program is complete.

Lamont said his administration also will propose in its budget, funds to eliminate health insurance copays and deductibles for low-income people.

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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.

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