Senate Leadership
May 7, 2008
Williams and Looney Urge Governor Rell to Sign Landmark Health Care Legislation
Veto Would Hurt Local Taxpayers And Small Businesses During An Already Difficult Budget Year
Senate President Donald Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) urge Gov. Rell to sign landmark healthcare legislation passed overwhelmingly by the Senate early today.
The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (HB 5536), championed by House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan (D-Meriden), 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.
"At a time when health care costs for municipalities and small businesses are skyrocketing, this plan can provide critical relief," said Senator Williams. "This landmark bill was one of the concepts associated with the HealthFirst Connecticut initiative passed last year and is one of the most important accomplishments of the 2008 legislative session."
"The status-quo is crushing local taxpayers and small businesses," said Senator Looney. "Families across Connecticut need Gov. Rell to sign this legislation into law and provide real relief."
According to House Majority Leader Donovan's office, the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership would provide significant savings* to many municipalities, including:
Danbury--$2,844,988
East $1,135,789
Groton--$1,165,261
Meriden--$1,930,455
New Britain--$896,758
New Haven--$8,664,337
New London -$689,045
Sprague--$157,118
Tolland--$50,551
Wethersfield--$597,145
Windham--$849,024
Windsor--$221,859
*savings based on what towns currently pay for healthcare versus what the state pays for comparable benefits. More information on the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership can be found online at www.housedems.ct.gov/CHP.
The Healthcare Partnership builds on the HealthFirst Connecticut health care access initiative, enacted by the General Assembly last year. The plan calls for a number of reforms, including:
- Creation the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority to recommend alternatives for affordable quality health care coverage for uninsured and underinsured people and a Statewide Primary Care Authority to develop a universal system for providing primary care services, including prescription drugs, to all Connecticut residents.
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Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
