Rep. Toni Walker

April 23, 2008

LANDMARK HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION APPROVED BY HOUSE

Rep. Toni Walker today hailed House passage of legislation that would achieve taxpayer savings through the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (HB 5536).

The legislation would allow municipalities, small businesses and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan, creating a large pool of insured lives leading to increased bargaining power and lower costs.

"This plan gives municipalities the option of participating in the pool if it makes sense for their particular district," Rep. Walker said. "Preliminary studies show many districts will save money."

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership would provide significant savings* to municipalities of all sizes as noted by the examples below:

Danbury - $2,844,988
East Hartford - $1,135,789
Groton - $1,165,261
Meriden - $1,930,455
New Britain - $896,758
New Haven - $8,664,337

New London - $689,045
Sprague - $157,118
Tolland - $50,551
Wethersfield - $597,145
Windham - $849,024
Windsor - $221,859

*savings based on what towns currently pay for healthcare versus what the state pays for comparable benefits

The bill now heads to the State Senate for consideration.


Legislative Office Building, Room 2702
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
(860) 240-8585 | 1-800-842-8267
Toni.Walker@cga.ct.gov