Governor vetoes pooling bill

Today Governor Rell vetoed HB-5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership. While she applauded the intent of the bill, to reduce health care costs for municipalities, nonprofits and small businesses by pooling them with state employees, she is concerned about potential costs to the state. She also cited legal problems with the bill, doubts about estimated savings for municipalities, and concerns that the bill does not address the problem of Connecticut’s uninsured. She called on legislators to work with her office to refine the concept next year.
Ellen Andrews