April 25, 2008

REP. GODFREY: LANDMARK HEALTHCARE
LEGISLATION APPROVED BY HOUSE

State Representative Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury) hailed the passage of legislation in the House on Wednesday that would achieve taxpayer savings and increase insurance to more people through the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership.

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.

Under the plan, the City of Danbury would be estimated to save $2,844,988, the largest of any municipality in the state.

"Opening this plan will provide many small businesses in Connecticut and their employees with access to comprehensive benefit packages and at the same time also help the economies of our cities," Rep. Godfrey said. "Anything that we can do at the state level to offset property tax increases and save taxpayer money is certainly something we all should consider."

Twenty-four other states have similar plans, including Massachusetts, which just opened its state employee plan earlier this year.

The bill now heads to the State Senate for consideration.