HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Thousands of Connecticut families are scrambling after learning they may have to search for new doctors or facing higher healthcare costs after UConn Health and Aetna failed to reach a new contract agreement Monday.

The dispute has left 15,000 UConn Health patients with Aetna insurance without in-network access to UConn Health doctors and John Dempsey Hospital. State lawmakers from both parties are calling the situation unacceptable.

“It is absolutely wrong to play football with patient care,” said Sen. Jeff Gordon, R-Woodstock.

Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, said lawmakers have a responsibility to find solutions that put patients first.

“We have a responsibility to try and figure out a way to put patients in the center of this entire challenge, because they

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