Page 396

House Bill No. 5506

Public Act No. 22-118 396 of 739

(4) Consult with the [Commissioner of Social Services] Office of Health Strategy and Insurance Commissioner for the purposes set forth in section 17b-312. (c) (1) The Office of Health Strategy may, subject to the approval required under subdivision (3) of this subsection, seek a waiver pursuant to Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act, as amended from time to time, to advance the purpose of the Covered Connecticut program. The Office of Health Strategy shall implement such waiver if the federal government issues such waiver. (2) The Office of Health Strategy shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, human services and insurance containing any proposed waiver described in subdivision (1) of this subsection before seeking such waiver from the federal government. (3) Not later than thirty days after the Office of Health Strategy submits a report under subdivision (2) of this subsection, the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, human services and insurance shall convene a joint public hearing on the proposed waiver contained in the report submitted pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, separately vote to approve or reject such proposed waiver and advise the Office of Health Strategy of their approval or rejection of such proposed waiver. If any committee takes no action on such proposed waiver within the thirty-day period, the proposed waiver shall be deemed rejected. (d) The benefits and subsidies provided for individuals as part of the Covered Connecticut program shall not be considered income for such individuals for the purposes of chapter 229.