February 14, 2011
SWEEPING HEALTH INSURANCE REFORMS PROPOSED
Healthcare Partnership, SustiNet, Healthcare Insurance Exchange
and State Prescription Drug Purchasing Discussed
State Representative Susan Johnson, vice chair of the state legislature’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee, together with the Public Health and Human Services Committees held a joint public hearing today on sweeping health insurance reforms under consideration this year.
“Small businesses and municipal budgets have been hit hard by the skyrocketing cost of health insurance,” said Johnson. “The proposed reforms would give more Connecticut residents—small businesses, individuals, non-profits and municipal employees—access to quality health care at lower rates.
Among the health insurance reforms being considered is legislation (House Bill 6308) that would allow small businesses, municipalities, and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan.
Another bill (House Bill 6323) would update the state’s insurance laws to allow Connecticut residents to take advantage of several consumer protections contained in the new federal health care law, including an expansion of coverage for dependents through age 26, prohibitions on pre-existing conditions for children and unreasonable lifetime coverage limits. It also establishes Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, which will better organize the health insurance marketplace to help individuals and small businesses access more options, easily compare plans, and use economies of scale to secure competitive rates for quality insurance.
The committees are also considering legislation (House Bill 6322) that would permit the Department of Social Services to purchase drugs through the state employee prescription drug plan—a streamlining measure that will eliminate purchasing redundancies and increase purchasing power—a savings of at least $66.5 million.
Additional legislation (House Bill 6305) would implement the recommendations of the SustiNet Board of Directors, an 11 member board established in 2009 to create a plan to expand access to quality healthcare coverage for Connecticut residents, including:
Implementing delivery system and payment reforms to move toward a more coordinated, patient-centered, evidenced-based approach to healthcare that improves quality and slows cost growth.
Integrating these improvements first over publicly-administered health plans, including state employees and retirees, Medicaid and HUSKY beneficiaries to bring savings to taxpayers.
Leveraging the power of existing state programs and federal dollars to provide a new health insurance choice for municipalities, private employers and households.
Susan Johnson is serving her second term representing Connecticut’s 49th General Assembly District in Windham. She is Vice Chair of the state legislature’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee.