Check It Out! New Public Option Bill for CT | Public Hearing on March 7

Bold action on health care is on the to-do list of state legislators this year.

Legislators were hit hard with complaints about the out-of-control cost of health care while on the campaign trail in 2018.  People are suffering and they want action.

One BOLD step forward has been proposed by legislators: 

Bill #7267: An Act Concerning Public Options for Health Care in Connecticut

It would establish a state public option (health plan) that could be purchased by:

  • small businesses with 50 or fewer employees
  • individuals who do not get coverage through their employers

There is a March 7 public hearing scheduled at noon in Room 2-D of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  There will be a press conference at 10:30 am, before the hearing.

Here’s what YOU can do:
  • Join us on March 7 at 10 am to show your support – we will be at the 2nd floor atrium of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to give you instructions for the day’s activities (RSVP: info@universalhealthct.org)
  • Submit testimony or testify in person (Written testimony must be submitted by the end of day on March 6 – email it as an attachment to the Insurance & Real Estate Committee at: INSTestimony@cga.ct.gov. You can sign up to testify in person on March 7.)
  • Tell us your story of how this bill would help you or a loved one (send it to us: info@universalhealthct.org)

More about the bill:

This bill would offer a new choice for those who are most often left behind in the current health insurance marketplace – small businesses, and individuals or undocumented immigrants without access to coverage through their employers.  They could buy it if they want it.

It uses the state government’s buying power to create a new state nonprofit health plan for individuals and small businesses, who have no leverage in the current private health insurance market.

The state has this leverage because it already insures state employees and retirees.  And, it runs the Medicaid/HUSKY program that covers over 800,000 state residents.

It does not replace the health plans offered by private insurers on and off the state health insurance exchange – Access Health CT.  It does not replace Medicaid/HUSKY for low-income, disabled and elderly residents.  It does not replace Medicare.  And, it does not replace employer-sponsored coverage.

Note:  There are other public option bills introduced this year including: SB 134HB 6894SB 32, HB 5722, HB 5855, SB 69, & HB 6534.  We are watching them all.  We believe that Raised Bill 7267 is the most expansive approach being proposed this year.

Here are some talking points about a public option