April 6, 2009

DANBURY AREA LEGISLATORS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
WORK TO PUSH DOWN HEALTH CARE COSTS

State Representatives Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury), Joe Taborsak (D-Danbury), and Christopher Lyddy (D-Newtown) participated in a roundtable discussion at the Danbury Public Library on Monday with Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and area small business owners to discuss business-friendly health care policies that will help local companies thrive.

"In these trying times, we need to do everything we can to bring down the cost of health insurance," Rep. Godfrey said. "Legislation we are currently debating in Hartford will give small businesses the choice of joining an affordable health care pool, which can be a key to economic development while also providing workers with much needed health care."

The legislation will open access to the state employee health insurance plan to small businesses, non-profits and municipal employees. It is estimated that small businesses could save thousands of dollars annually in employee health care costs by joining the plan. There are currently more than 200,000 people in the state insurance pool.

"This initiative is a way to assist our local economy," Rep. Lyddy said. "Small businesses and non-profits depend on their ability to attract talented employees, and a business can't thrive if they aren't able to offer affordable, quality health care. At the very least, this provides options for employers so that they can better serve their employees."

Rep. Taborsak remarked, "This legislation has the potential to save cities like Danbury millions in health insurance cost savings at a much needed time. Moreover, by opening the state health insurance up to small businesses, businesses could also find substantial savings and better health insurance for their employees. It's a win-win situation at a time when we need to stretch a dollar anywhere we can."

Nancy Ryan, a self-employed contractor from Bethel, said that after seeing her health insurance rates increase over the least several years, she supports the partnership plan as a more affordable option.

"I was devastated to learn recently that my premiums were going up 50-percent because I turned 55," she said. "I used to think uninsured people lived on the fringes of society, but now I'm considering going without insurance myself because it's gotten too expensive to afford."

Beth Agen, Executive Director of Newtown Youth & Family Services, said her agency is fortunate to receive insurance coverage under the Town of Newtown's policy, but as the town looks for ways to cut back, the agency could be facing increased costs to insure its staff.

"Like other human service agencies during this difficult economic time, there is increased demand for our programs, without increases in funding," Agen said. "A healthcare program like this would help our agency to continue serve its clients."