WEEKLY UPDATE: 11/05/26
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) is pleased to launch Capitol Update, a newsletter dedicated to sharing the latest political and legislative developments impacting Connecticut residents, healthcare, and hospitals and health systems.* In a special edition published Wednesday, November 4, CHA provided a recap of the federal and state midterm election results.
Based on unofficial tallies from the Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State, Democrats achieved sweeping victories on the national and state levels.
Key Takeaways
- Congress flips to Democratic control
- Luke Bronin joins Connecticut’s all-Democrat congressional delegation
- Democratic incumbents sweep Connecticut’s constitutional office races
- Governor Lamont and Lt. Governor Bysiewicz return for third term
- Connecticut General Assembly shifts further in Democrats’ favor
Healthcare Highlights
Federal
With control of both the U.S. Senate and House, congressional Democrats have signaled their near-term agenda items will focus on several health policy priorities, including reinstating Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, expanding Medicare drug price negotiations to private insurance, restoring withheld National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding, shielding physicians from scheduled Medicare reimbursement cuts, and exploring Medicare for All, a government-run public insurance option.
However, while Republican President Donald Trump remains in the Oval Office, Democrats will struggle to repeal steep Medicaid cuts established by H.R.1 and will face roadblocks in advancing partisan healthcare measures.
State
All six incumbent Democrats in the statewide constitutional offices were reelected: Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, State Treasurer Erick Russell, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon, and State Attorney General William Tong.
The Democratic supermajorities in the State House of Representatives and State Senate increased to historic margins, leaving only 38 Republican lawmakers in the Capitol come January, when constitutional leaders and legislators are sworn into office for the 2027 Legislative Session. With Democratic caucuses beyond veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers, the dynamics of policy discussions, negotiations, and alliances are expected to shift.
Throughout their election campaigns, Lamont, Scanlon, and multiple legislative Democrats stumped on healthcare affordability issues, including universal healthcare and a state-controlled health insurance plan called a public option. CHA has raised significant concerns about the potential negative impacts of the so-called Connecticut Option, which would strip patients of choice in their providers, reduce access to specialists, and drive up costs for everyone through higher premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs, and potentially higher taxes. Connecticut hospitals will continue to work with legislators and the governor in the upcoming legislative session to address healthcare affordability, as well as hospital sustainability and patient access to care. Click here to learn more about the Connecticut Option.
*During the upcoming legislative session, which begins Wednesday, January 6, 2027, employees of CHA member organizations will receive weekly publications of the Capitol Update newsletter, in addition to CHA Weekly Update.
Related News:
New Report Warns ‘Connecticut Option’ Could Raise Taxes, Strain Healthcare Providers
Concerns Raised Over Proposed Connecticut Public Option
Hospitals, Employers, and Advocates Raise Concerns Over “Connecticut Option” Study
