Mackenzie Rigg
Connecticut Mirror
Danbury, CT, United States
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Past articles by Mackenzie:
Trump administration proposes new rule requiring separate premium bills for abortion coverage
The Trump administration wants insurers that offer plans through Access Health CT, Connecticut’s Affordable Care Act exchange, and other exchanges nationwide, to send people separate monthly bills for the cost of their abortion coverage — in addition to the bill they get for their regular premium costs. → Read More
Hayes declares victory in 5th district, makes Connecticut history
WATERBURY– Jahana Hayes, a progressive political newcomer, made history Tuesday night by becoming the first African-American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress. → Read More
Community Conversations: A need for more healthcare and healthcare reform
During this election season, the CT Mirror convened groups of people from around the state to ask their opinions on key campaign issues and their perceptions of the appropriate role of government. A common theme emerged: health care — the cost, the disparities and the need for change. → Read More
ACA enrollment begins as voters say health care is top concern
The sixth open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act begins Thursday, as the future of the health care law, and its protections for pre-existing conditions, has emerged as a top concern for voters across the nation in the midterm elections. → Read More
Taking the pulse of the governor candidates' views on health care
The three leading gubernatorial candidates share their thoughts on several health care issues, including Medicaid work requirements, an individual mandate, the opioid crisis, the hospital tax and Roe v. Wade. → Read More
Lamont Blasts Stefanowski’s Comments On Vaccinations
Democrat Ned Lamont attacked Republican Bob Stefanowski for comments he made about childhood vaccinations. → Read More
Lamont blasts Stefanowski’s comments on vaccinations
Surrounded by medical providers and state legislators, Democrat Ned Lamont on Wednesday attacked Republican Bob Stefanowski for comments he made about childhood vaccinations during a campaign event this summer. NBC Connecticut obtained the video of Stefanowski from a source working for Democratic campaigns in Connecticut. The video is two minutes long, and does not include what is said before or… → Read More
Lamont blasts Stefanowski’s comments on vaccinations
Surrounded by medical providers and state legislators, Democrat Ned Lamont on Wednesday attacked Republican Bob Stefanowski for comments he made about childhood vaccinations during a campaign event this summer. → Read More
UConn Health seeking private partnership
For several years, UConn Health has been exploring the possibility of partnering with a private entity as a way of ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the system. On Monday, the health system took the next necessary step in pursuing a public-private partnership by releasing a national "Solicitation of Interest" letter. The letter is a request for proposals from health… → Read More
UConn Health seeking a private partner for financial sustainability
UConn Health took the next necessary step in pursuing a public-private partnership on Monday by releasing a “Solicitation of Interest” letter nationally. The letter is a request for proposals from health organizations across the country interested in partnering with the Farmington-based health system. → Read More
Access Health CT launches new online tool to compare plans
Officials from Access Health CT, the state's health insurance exchange, are urging their customers, especially those who qualify to be automatically re-enrolled in 2019, to explore their options for next year using a new online tool and other resources available through the exchange. → Read More
CT officials defend opposition of court-ordered mental health treatment
Connecticut recently received an "F" grade in a national report for being one of three states that doesn't allow the courts to order people with mental illnesses to comply with outpatient treatment. But Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and other key mental health care advocates wouldn’t have it any other way. → Read More
Connecticut Insurance Department approves CVS-Aetna merger
The Connecticut Insurance Department has approved CVS Health Corp's $69 billion merger with Hartford-based Aetna Inc. The approval is contingent on Aetna completing the sale of its standalone Medicare Part D prescription plan business. → Read More
Number of CT high schoolers vaping doubled in two years
The number of Connecticut high school students who used vaping products, such as e-cigarettes, doubled from 2015 to 2017, according to a new study released by the state Department of Public Health. Overall, 14.7 percent of high school students reported "currently" vaping in 2017, compared to 7.2 percent in 2015. In contrast, 3.5 percent of high schoolers reported currently smoking traditional… → Read More
Number of CT high schoolers vaping doubled over two years
The number of Connecticut high school students who used vaping products, such as e-cigarettes, doubled from 2015 to 2017, according to a new study released by the state Department of Public Health. → Read More
More than half of CT health care systems in the black in 2017
Nine of the 16 health systems in Connecticut ended 2017 in the black, according to a report by the state Office of Health Strategy. Collectively, the systems took in about $14.2 billion in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2017. After expenses, this left about $580 million — a 4 percent total margin. → Read More
CVS, Aetna urge Connecticut regulators to approve proposed acquisition
The Connecticut Insurance Department now has 30 days to decide whether to approve CVS Health Corp.’s acquisition of Hartford-based Aetna Inc. – a merger the companies say will drive down health care costs and opponents portray as anti-competitive and harmful to patients. → Read More
CT sees sharp decline in uninsured low-income adults in rural areas
Connecticut saw one of the biggest drops in the uninsured rate among low-income adults living in rural areas and small towns compared to other states, according to a national study released this week. The uninsured rate in the state’s sole non-metro county, Litchfield, fell from 32 percent in 2008-09 to 9 percent in 2015-16. → Read More
CT docs say health information exchange would help fight opioid epidemic
As Connecticut residents continue to die from opioid overdoses at an alarming rate, several doctors agree that being able to share health records electronically across the entire state would help fight the epidemic. But a system to accommodate that sharing remains elusive. → Read More
Long-time Access Health CT director appointed as new CEO
A long-time director at Access Health CT was named the new chief executive officer of the state’s health insurance exchange. The exchange’s board of directors voted to appoint James Michel as the permanent CEO at its Thursday meeting. → Read More