Healthcare Partnership public hearing

HB-5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership is being heard in the Labor Committee as I am writing. The idea, being championed by House Majority Leader Chris Donovan, is to allow municipalities, small businesses and non-profit organizations to purchase health benefits through the state employee pool. The hope is that municipalities and others will be able to save money on health benefit spending for their employees and maintain a comprehensive package of services that is affordable for workers and towns. Twenty four other states have similar programs in place. The proposal builds on the State Comptroller’s successful MEHIP program, that allows municipalities, small businesses and non-profits who do business with the state into a pool that jointly purchases benefits with the state employee pool.
Ellen Andrews