State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.
July 20, 2009
Crisco Hails Veto Override; Welcomes Prospects for SustiNet Plan
State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), the Senate chair of the General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today voted with a Senate supermajority to override a gubernatorial veto of HB6600, An Act Concerning the Establishment of the SustinNet Plan. The initiative provides for the SustiNet Health Partnership, including creation of a new public authority in health care matters. The nine members of the partnership are charged with making comprehensive recommendations for healthcare reform by January 1, 2011.
Today’s Senate vote to override was 24 — 12; earlier this afternoon the House had voted 102 — 40 to override the veto.
“This bill recognizes that many Connecticut residents, including seniors, children, and many in between who are vulnerable, are without health insurance and access to healthcare through no fault of their own. It creates a fixed deadline for the SustiNet Partnership to propose concrete solutions to that dilemma,” Senator Crisco said. “For decades Connecticut has been a leader in healthcare reform and this measure is the logical next step in that regard.”
Members of the SustiNet Health Partnership are encouraged to address a full range of healthcare issues including infrastructure, health insurance reimbursement rates, and implementation of new health information technology, to streamline the system and avoid such things as the expensive duplication of medical exams and procedures.
“The disproportionate cost of healthcare as a function of our budget demands decisive action to identify efficiencies, pool resources, and bring down the overall burden,” Senator Crisco said. “The urgency for this is self-evident: spiraling costs will only be compounded by our steadily aging population. We simply must have in place a system to accommodate the specific needs of everyone.”
Senator Crisco said an additional benefit of the SustiNet Plan is how it positions Connecticut for the federal healthcare reforms presently under consideration in Congress.
“There is a growing realization among more and more of us that a manageable healthcare system with widespread access to high quality, affordable healthcare is the key to viability and sustainability in the 21st century,” Senator Crisco added.
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Senator Crisco’s |
Listing of Senator Crisco’s recent press releases and a Press Kit with official head shots and bio. |
Press Aide Laurence Grotheer |
