April 25, 2012

HOUSE APPROVES BILL ADDING CONSUMER
& SMALL BUSINESS VOICES TO HEALTH EXCHANGE

State Representative Susan Johnson, Vice Chair of the state legislature’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee, announced that the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation (HB 5013) that will add consumer and small business representatives to the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange.

The bill requires that two small employers and two consumers are added to the exchange and would also make the Healthcare Advocate a voting member. This increases the board from 11 voting members to 16 voting members.

“The exchange was created to help individuals and Connecticut’s small businesses find affordable and quality health insurance—so it only makes sense that they are properly represented and heard from,” said Johnson.

Johnson said that the bill also strengthens the conflict of interest restrictions on exchange board members by prohibiting board members from serving as consultants to trade associations of insurers, insurance brokers, health care providers, or health care facilities.

“Although exchange members are currently prohibited from working for insurance brokers, health care providers, or health care facilities, we have gone further to ensure that Connecticut’s exchange will represent the interests of consumers and not the insurance companies’ interests.” said Johnson.

The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange was created by the legislature last year to help individuals and small employers obtain affordable, high quality health insurance. Beginning in 2014, it will offer tools for comparing health plan options and encouraging competition on price and quality.

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.