Matt Lesser

Senator Matt Lesser Applauds Key Finance, Appropriations Committee Approval of Major Health Care Reform Legislation

Today, Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) applauded the Finance Committee for its bipartisan support and passage of Senate Bill 842, ‘An Act Concerning Health Insurance And Health Care In Connecticut.’ This major health care reform legislation will make health insurance more affordable for families, small businesses and non-profits. Senator Lesser also applauded Appropriations Committee, which voted to fund the bill in the 2022-2023 budget in a vote yesterday evening.

“Health care reform has cleared two major hurdles,” said Sen. Lesser. “I’m grateful to the members of the Appropriations and Finance Committees for their support. Connecticut is in the middle of a health care crisis. The time to act on lowering the cost of health insurance is now. Connecticut residents are demanding lower premiums, lower deductibles, and relief for small businesses. These votes give us clear momentum as we head into the home stretch of the legislative session.”

SB 842 will create a public option for small businesses and nonprofits, it will create a new fund to lower premiums, copays and deductibles on Access Health, Connecticut’s Health Care Exchange and it expands access to Medicaid. It also allows immigrants to purchase health insurance with their own money.

Recent polling has shown the proposal to be overwhelmingly popular with Connecticut residents. A Sacred Heart Poll released April 12 found that 66.8% of residents support the proposal.