CT SB00496

Establishes a voluntary hospital financial assistance program effective October 1, 2026, providing free inpatient and outpatient care to uninsured patients with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level

Requires subsidized care for uninsured patients between 200-300% of the federal poverty level, and for SNAP or WIC recipients with income up to 400% of the federal poverty level

Caps payments for patients under 200% of poverty who are ineligible for financial assistance at 2% of annual household income per year, with bills considered paid in full after 36 cumulative months of payments

Prohibits participating hospitals from counting patient assets for eligibility or requiring denial letters from Medicaid, Medicare, or other programs; allows income verification through tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, or employer verification

Directs the Commissioner of Social Services to amend the Medicaid state plan to use disproportionate share hospital payments to reimburse participating hospitals for financial assistance provided