House Bill 6582, An Act Establishing the Healthcare Partnership, was adopted overwhelmingly by the House and Senate, and has now gone to Governor Rell’s desk.  However, it is unclear whether the governor will sign the bill into law.  Governor Rell has said that this might not be the “appropriate time” for this initiative.  However, CEA and municipal leaders believe that, if now isn’t the appropriate time to save tens of millions of dollars for Connecticut taxpayers, when would it be appropriate?

The legislation would allow employees of towns and cities, non profit organizations, and small businesses to join the big state employees’ health insurance pool.  The option to join this big insurance pool would lower municipal costs and save local taxpayers money.  In 146 towns surveyed, almost nine out of ten pay higher rates than the state pays for its employees.   Per employee, in individual towns, the numbers are striking.  One town in Hartford County pays $22,932.00 for a family plan while the state pays $16,278.00.  In other parts of the state, individual towns and cities are not doing well either.  Consider an Eastern Connecticut small town paying $25,392.48, compared with the state’s $16,278.00 or a shoreline community that pays $21,740.16.  

Contact Governor Rell and tell her that healthcare reform and lower insurance costs are essential for our economy to recover and prosper.