87-page health bill goes to Governor’s desk

The House and Senate have passed SB-811, now on it’s way to the Governor. The bill includes price and consumer cost notices and websites to help consumers shop for services, sets some limits on facility fees charged by hospitals and outpatient providers, adds to the factors and studies required in considering hospital purchases, and limits bills on emergency services. The bill also directs DSS to create a badly needed statewide health insurance exchange.  (This will be CT’s third try to create an HIE). The bill includes two studies promoting future reforms. The Health Care Cabinet will study cost control models in other states and the Insurance Dept. will convene a workgroup to study the causes of rising health care costs.