CT residents concerned about Medicare cuts in state budget
Posted: Updated:The state comptroller says deficit projections out Friday are past the threshold for mandatory mid-year budget cuts from Gov. Dannel Malloy.
The governor says he will meet with legislative leaders next week to try to hammer out the best way forward.
In the meantime, many state residents are worried about how they'll survive those cuts, specifically reductions in Medicare financial help on which they rely.
News 12 has been receiving calls in the newsroom from people who were once eligible for the state's Medicare Savings Program who now are not. It could cause a struggle for 113,000 seniors and others with disabilities in Connecticut who are faced with losing the financial help.
Judith Lipton, of Fairfield, is on disability for a condition that leaves her without an immune system. She showed News 12 the 25 medications she's on and talked about the weekly infusions she needs to live. She says ever since she received a letter about the subsidy cuts from the state Department of Social Services, stress has been interfering with her eating and sleeping.
On Friday, she met with the director of Fairfield's Department of Human Services. Budget cuts have reduced who's eligible for the Medicare Savings Program, and Lipton won't get the $134 a month in Medicare subsidy and won't get the prescription drug savings.
"I'm devastated," Lipton says. "I don't know what to do, I don't know where to turn."
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff says he and five other legislators from both sides of the aisle will meet with Malloy on Wednesday. They're hoping to find $53 million in the budget to enable the Medicare Savings Program to stay intact and not leave out those faced with losing it.
Connecticut PoliticsPoliticsMore>>
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GOP gubernatorial candidates take part in final debate
Republican Connecticut gubernatorial candidates took part in their final debate Wednesday at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan.
Republican Connecticut gubernatorial candidates took part in their final debate Wednesday at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan.
Republican Connecticut gubernatorial candidates took part in their final debate Wednesday at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan.
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First selectman race neck-and-neck in New Canaan
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Republican candidate Kevin Moynihan edged Democrat Kit Devereaux by just 33 votes -- but that total didn't include absentee ballots in the race for first selectman in New Canaan.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Republican candidate Kevin Moynihan edged Democrat Kit Devereaux by just 33 votes -- but that total didn't include absentee ballots in the race for first selectman in New Canaan.
VIDEO: New Canaan First Selectman Debate
VIDEO: New Canaan First Selectman Debate
News 12 Connecticut has debates for races this upcoming election.
Meet the candidates in New Canaan's First Selectman race in this debate, hosted by News 12's John Craven.
Meet the candidates in New Canaan's First Selectman race in this debate, hosted by News 12's John Craven.
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Experts speculate on who will succeed Gov. Malloy
Experts speculate on who will succeed Gov. Malloy
Experts are speculating who will replace Gov. Dannel Malloy after he announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to a third term in office.
Experts are speculating who will replace Gov. Dannel Malloy after he announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to a third term in office.
Experts are speculating who will replace Gov. Dannel Malloy after he announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to a third term in office.
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Blumenthal, Murphy host forum on fate of Planned Parenthood
Blumenthal, Murphy host forum on fate of Planned Parenthood
Connecticut's two senators were among leaders who hosted a forum on the fate of Planned Parenthood in Stamford Thursday, even as President Donald Trump moved to defund the organization.
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Rep. Himes holds town hall meeting in Bridgeport
Rep. Himes holds town hall meeting in Bridgeport
Rep. Jim Himes held a town hall meeting in Bridgeport Wednesday night to hear residents' concerns.
Rep. Jim Himes held a town hall meeting in Bridgeport Wednesday night to hear residents' concerns.
Rep. Jim Himes held a town hall meeting in Bridgeport Wednesday night to hear residents' concerns.
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Gov. Malloy announces he won't seek re-election
Gov. Malloy announces he won't seek re-election
Experts are speculating who will replace Gov. Dannel Malloy after he announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to a third term in office.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday he won't seek a third term.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday he won't seek a third term.
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Gov. Malloy unveils deep spending cuts, new taxes in budget
Gov. Malloy unveils deep spending cuts, new taxes in budget
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled almost $200 million in new taxes and fees in his budget presentation Wednesday afternoon, along with a dire warning for state workers.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled almost $200 million in new taxes and fees in his budget presentation Wednesday afternoon, along with a dire warning for state workers.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled almost $200 million in new taxes and fees in his budget presentation Wednesday afternoon, along with a dire warning for state workers.
Connecticut SlideshowsSlideshowsMore>>
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
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It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Statue of Liberty
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Connecticut Birthday Smiles
Connecticut Birthday Smiles
Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
2018 Mohegan Sun Arena performer lineup
2018 Mohegan Sun Arena performer lineup
Lorde will perform on Saturday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Lorde will perform on Saturday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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The 2018 Mohegan Sun Arena performer lineup includes live music, entertainment, top headlining concerts and premier sporting events in Connecticut.
Students organize walkouts over gun violence
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Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Florida Georgia Line is set to rock Atlantic City on July 13.
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The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
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Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Guide: Amusement Parks
Guide: Amusement Parks
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
Guide: Casinos
Guide: Casinos
Do you like to gamble? Or maybe you're just looking to get away for a weekend or for a night? The tri-state area has a couple casinos that may do the trick.
Do you like to gamble? Or maybe you're just looking to get away for a weekend or for a night? The tri-state area has a couple casinos that may do the trick.
Do you like to gamble? Or maybe you're just looking to get away for a weekend or for a night? The tri-state area has a couple casinos that may do the trick. Here is a guide to casinos in the area.
Do you like to gamble? Or maybe you're just looking to get away for a weekend or for a night? The tri-state area has a couple casinos that may do the trick. Here is a guide to casinos in the area.
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Connecticut Top StoriesConnecticut Top StoriesMore>>
Kids charged with threatening moviegoers with cap guns
Kids charged with threatening moviegoers with cap guns
Several Stamford kids caught menacing customers with cap guns at a movie theater Sunday night are facing charges of reckless endangerment and breach of peace.
Several Stamford kids caught menacing customers with cap guns at a movie theater Sunday night are facing charges of reckless endangerment and breach of peace.
Several Stamford kids caught menacing customers with cap guns at a movie theater Sunday night are facing charges of reckless endangerment and breach of peace.
Forecast: Cool, partly cloudy Tuesday
Forecast: Cool, partly cloudy Tuesday
News 12 Connecticut Weather Forecast
Here's the latest News 12 Connecticut weather update.
Here's the latest News 12 Connecticut weather update.
After layoff notices, Westport teachers pack board of ed meeting
After layoff notices, Westport teachers pack board of ed meeting
Looming layoffs and a dispute over teacher benefits have cast a cloud over a potential budget for Westport's schools.
Looming layoffs and a dispute over teacher benefits have cast a cloud over a potential budget for Westport's schools.
Looming layoffs and a dispute over teacher benefits have cast a cloud over a potential budget for Westport's schools.
Woman killed, man seriously hurt in motorcycle crash
Woman killed, man seriously hurt in motorcycle crash
A young woman was killed and a man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Sunday evening in Bridgeport.
A young woman was killed and a man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Sunday evening in Bridgeport.
A young woman was killed and a man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Sunday evening in Bridgeport.
Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to boy
Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to boy
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Kensington Palace says the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to her third child, a boy weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
WestConn classes to resume after nororvirus outbreak
WestConn classes to resume after nororvirus outbreak
Classes will resume Tuesday at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury after more than 100 students were sickened in a norovirus outbreak.
Classes will resume Tuesday at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury after more than 100 students were sickened in a norovirus outbreak.
Classes will resume Tuesday at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury after more than 100 students were sickened in a norovirus outbreak.
Community honors workers killed in L'Ambiance Plaza collapse
Community honors workers killed in L'Ambiance Plaza collapse
Community members in Bridgeport came together Monday morning to remember the 28 construction workers killed in the L'Ambiance Plaza collapse 31 years ago.
Community members in Bridgeport came together Monday morning to remember the 28 construction workers killed in the L'Ambiance Plaza collapse 31 years ago.
Community members in Bridgeport came together Monday morning to remember the 28 construction workers killed in the L'Ambiance Plaza collapse 31 years ago.
Spokesman: George HW Bush hospitalized with blood infection
Spokesman: George HW Bush hospitalized with blood infection
Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston with an infection, just after attending the funeral of his wife, Barbara, a spokesman said Monday.
Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston with an infection, just after attending the funeral of his wife, Barbara, a spokesman said Monday.
Waffle House slaying suspect arrested after massive manhunt
Waffle House slaying suspect arrested after massive manhunt
The mentally unstable gunman suspected of killing four people in a late-night shooting at a Waffle House restaurant was arrested near his apartment Monday after hiding from police for more than a day, authorities said.
The mentally unstable gunman suspected of killing four people in a late-night shooting at a Waffle House restaurant was arrested near his apartment Monday after hiding from police for more than a day, authorities said.
Van kills 10 and injures 15 in Toronto; driver in custody
Van kills 10 and injures 15 in Toronto; driver in custody
Cole Burston/Getty Images
A rented van plowed down a crowded Toronto sidewalk Monday, killing 10 people and injuring 15 before the driver fled and was quickly arrested in a confrontation with police, Canadian authorities said.
A rented van plowed down a crowded Toronto sidewalk Monday, killing 10 people and injuring 15 before the driver fled and was quickly arrested in a confrontation with police, Canadian authorities said.
