FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
April 30, 2026
SENATOR ANWAR SUPPORTS SENATE ADVANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE SAFEGUARDS
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted in support of the Senate’s passage of new safeguards to better protect long-term care insurance policy holders. For years, Sen. Anwar has worked to support constituents and Connecticut residents struggling under rapidly escalating costs these plans can lead to.
“For too long, I’ve heard from far too many long-term care insurance policy holders that they can’t rely on the policies they paid for decades ago, with shocking rate hikes putting increasing financial pressure on them,” said Sen. Anwar.”I’m proud this bill is working to reduce sticker shock and provide policy holders with more power, though I’d like to see it go further. Still, this represents significant progress in supporting those at the mercy of insurance companies and I hope to see it become law.”
Senate Bill 478 seeks to require insurers to file annual reports with the Insurance Commissioner on actual losses paid, and beginning in 2027, legislative committees will review that information. The Commissioner will also gain the power to study whether policyholders should be able to cancel and get full premium refunds when an insurer files a rate increase above the inflation rate.
Additionally, any rate increase of 20% or more must be spread out over at least three years, insurers must notify policyholders before implementing large increases and give at least 30 days to choose reduced benefits or a lower-cost option, and there will be new enforcement authority in the event of violations.
Long-term care insurance provides support for skilled in-home care, rehabilitation therapy, assisted living, nursing home stays and respite care, but its costs have skyrocketed in the last few years, according to the Connecticut Mirror, which found rate increases range from 50% to as high as 174%.
That issue is largely due to interest rates being lower than expected, more people than expected holding onto their plans and policyholders living longer, increasing periods of care. Still, policy holders often find themselves facing extreme financial challenges as a result of the changing market, making change necessary.
With today’s passage, the bill now heads to the House.
Share this page: