Health Care

"Saturday marked a historic day for our country. For the millions of American families who suffer without access to health care and the millions of small businesses who struggle under the weight of high health care costs—this day was long overdue.

"I applaud the leadership of President Obama, the Democrats in the House, and especially the hard work of our Connecticut Congressional delegation—U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, John Larson and Chris Murphy.

"I am confident that the Senate will build on this momentum and pass comprehensive reform so that Connecticut can position itself to take advantage of new initiatives in the new legislative session."

October 14, 2009

REP. RITTER PARTICIPATES IN HEALTH CARE LOBBY DAY IN DC

State Representative Betsy Ritter (D-Montville & Waterford) joins with the State Legislators for Healthcare Reform working group for a two day State Leaders Lobby Day in Washington, DC. today.

State legislators are playing an important role in the national debate by weighing in on the success of state innovations, implementation strategies, and financing plans. Over 1,000 state legislators from all 50 states have signed onto letters in support of comprehensive health care reform that includes a public option. Dozens of those state leaders have traveled to Washington, DC to meet with members of House leadership, as well as their state's Congressional Delegations to urge support of pending legislation. The event also includes a meeting at the White House.

"Many individuals, families and small businesses cannot afford health insurance," House Chair of the Public Health Committee," Rep. Ritter stated. "By including a public health insurance option in the marketplace consumers will be provided with a new non-profit, efficient, high quality affordable choice. This new plan will also encourage commercial insurers to find efficiencies, bring costs down and improve quality to compete for business."

Connecticut has been tackling the health care reform issue for a number of years and has produced innovative solutions, including two bills that were passed by the Connecticut General Assembly earlier this year. The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet legislation provide models for public plans that would increase access to high quality care and control costs through the creation of large purchasing pools. Under these plans, Connecticut families and businesses could choose between purchasing coverage under a new public plan, or one of the private options currently available.

The State Legislators for Healthcare Reform working group is a coalition of state elected officials from around the country working to bring about robust reform that ensures all Americans have access to quality and affordable health care. In addition to providing for a strong public option, the groups priorities include ensuring that the federal legislation builds on a strong state-federal partnership, that sets minimum standards and supports state efforts to surpass standards for affordability and consumer protections, ensures that reform is sustainable during all economic conditions, provides for shared responsibility, and allows states flexibility to implement reforms early and show results.

Betsy Ritter

September 9, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN URGES STATE-FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP,
PUBLIC OPTION TO FIX BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Says Connecticut Well-Positioned for Federal Reforms at Community Health Center of Meriden Forum

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said today a "strong state-federal partnership is critical to fixing our broken health care system" and he encouraged the establishment of a public option to increase competition in the health care industry.

Speaker Donovan made his remarks while moderating a roundtable discussion on Federal Health Reform today at the Community Health Center of Meriden, sponsored by Healthcare for America Now (HCAN).

"In spite of numerous gubernatorial vetoes of important health care legislation, Connecticut is well-positioned for federal reforms," Speaker Donovan said. "Through legislative overrides of the SustiNet veto, vetoes of insurance coverage guarantees and consumer protections, and the veto of health care legislation for the children of janitors working in state buildings, we have established a foundation for reform in Connecticut."

Speaker Donovan said the state budget that became law today maintains funding for vital health services, including routine dental care for adults, vision and non-emergency transportation coverage, school-based and community health centers, services for seniors and for people living with disabilities.

He added, "Reform is coming from the national level. If we're prepared, we will be able to begin to end discrimination and disparities based on gender, race, age, and pre-existing conditions, we can end outrageous out-of-pocket costs, and remove the burden of high health care costs from small businesses."

Community Health Center Vice President and Clinical Director Margaret Flinter said, "Connecticut is ready for change. People with great insurance know they are vulnerable; people without any insurance know they are in danger. We can do better.

"We will solve this problem on the coverage side by expanding coverage, eliminating barriers such as pre-existing conditions, and harmonizing payments between public and private insurance. We will solve the care problem through attracting more physicians and nurses into primary care, improving health information technology, and coordinating care much better for patients with chronic illness. But all of us are going to have to do a much better job of prevention-for ourselves and our patients-to really succeed."

Participants included Dr. Sandra Carbonari, president-elect of the CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Juan Figueroa, president, Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut; Margaret Flinter, vice president and clinical director, Community Health Center; Brenda Kelley, state director of Connecticut AARP; Linda St. Peter, president, CT Association of Realtors and board member, Small Business for Health Care Reform; and Bonita Grubbs, executive director, Christian Community Action.

August 21, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN SAYS GOVERNOR RELL HAS "FAILED TO LEAD" ON HEALTH CARE
Says She Spares Few With Vetoes and Budget Cuts

Saying Democrats are carrying the fight on health care and citing five vetoes and more than a dozen budget cuts that deny health care opportunities to Connecticut families, House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said today that Governor M. Jodi Rell has "failed to lead on one of the critical issues of our time."

At a press conference at the Legislative Office Building, Speaker Donovan said, "Governor Rell has taken a page from the Republican national playbook and said 'no' to real health care reform even as our broken health care system continues its chokehold both on the economy and family budgets."

Governor Rell this year vetoed two major pieces of health care legislation – SustiNet and the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership. The General Assembly overrode the SustiNet veto. As well, she vetoed bills that would extend insurance coverage to families of custodians working in state buildings; expand insurance coverage for preventive screenings and prosthetic and assistive devices; and enhance consumer protections on health insurance policies.

In addition, Governor Rell has proposed eliminating routine dental care for adults, cutting funding for school-based health clinics, reducing funding for people with mental illnesses, closing Cedarcrest Hospital, eliminating annual social security increases to offset supplemental assistance costs, increasing premiums for families with children on HUSKY B, and decreasing funding for nursing homes.

"I don't think Governor Rell understands that there are real people who are being affected by the decisions she makes. What we're trying to do is to put a human face on policy decisions that impact their lives and the quality of their lives," Speaker Donovan said.

"Is there a population that she has spared?" he asked. "Children suffer, so do seniors. She abandons pregnant women and individuals with substance abuse difficulties, emotional disabilities and mental illness."

"What's particularly troublesome," he added, "is that these devastating cuts are avoidable. But the Governor steadfastly refuses to ask the wealthiest residents in our state to contribute $20 a week to save vulnerable citizens of Connecticut from these cruel actions."

Speaker Donovan's comments come just days after he joined his colleagues on the White House Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform in issuing a statement reiterating support for the public option.

Governor Rell's Vetoes Hurt Connecticut - Rell Lacks Leadership on Health Care Reform

July 15, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN: GOVERNOR'S VETOED HEALTH CARE BILL ANALYSIS DECEPTIVE
AND A DISSERVICE TO WORKING FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today said Governor Rell is trying to justify her vetoes of health care reform legislation for Connecticut with scare tactics and faulty information.

"In the past several days, President Obama and Democrats in Congress announced substantial movement on national health care reforms, and today a new report says that rising health care costs and premiums are eliminating coverage for 310 Connecticut residents a week," Speaker Donovan said. "At the same time, we have Governor Rell using made up numbers that underscore a position that is not supportive of needed health care reform."

Speaker Donovan said, "The Governor is wrong to suggest that the SustiNet bill will cost the state $1 billion annually in the near term. I am surprised that she would use such a scare tactic. I do know that doing nothing will cost us far more in the long term."

He said the only entity that the SustiNet bill would create over the biennium is a nine-member board of health care providers and experts, willing to volunteer their time to make specific recommendations on how to best implement the comprehensive reform Connecticut needs. No fiscal impact would result from the creation of this board, according to the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.

"The board's proposals will include recommendations on the use of new federal dollars we expect will be created under the federal legislation currently being debated, which could eventually help to fund an agency to administer the SustiNet plan," he said.

Speaker Donovan added, "After months of denying the savings attached to the pooling bill, the Governor finally admitted in her second budget proposal that there will be at least $62 million in immediate savings attached to self-insuring.

"The Governor's analysis cherry picks claims data when projecting health care costs for the next two years. It also did not account for an annual savings of up to $20 million from no longer paying insurance companies to run the state plan. These are dollars that the state should be spending on cost-saving preventive care, not insurance company profits."

Speaker Donovan concluded, "The Governor is trying to justify her rejection of health care reforms that will help Connecticut families now, and that will position the state for implementation of reforms that are on the fast track in Washington," Speaker Donovan said. "If she does not want to be a leader on health care, then she should step aside and allow the voices of the families and small business owners of Connecticut who are crying out for health care options to be heard."

July 8, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN, HEALTH CARE LEADERS CRITICAL
OF GOVERNOR'S HEALTH CARE VETOES

Disappointed by Lack of Leadership

Say Governor Lacks Sense of Urgency
on Fixing Broken Healthcare System

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, legislative and business leaders and advocates today issued strong reactions to Governor M. Jodi Rell's veto of two landmark pieces of health care reform legislation – the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet.

"This is a missed opportunity to give a booster shot to our ailing economy by relieving struggling families and businesses who are cutting back due to rising health care costs," Speaker Donovan said. "These bills would bring comforting relief to those who are suffering from those high costs.

"One person has caused a setback for health reform in Connecticut, but there are thousands who will continue to fight for the right prescription for our health care ills. Despite the Governor's veto, we will have health care reform. As we push for reform here in Connecticut, the momentum continues to build for it on the federal level."

Speaker Donovan said he was "disappointed by the Governor's lack of leadership" when he learned of Governor Rell's vetoes today, calling the two bills "health care reform legislation that would drive down high health care costs and provide Connecticut residents with a new, public choice for affordable health coverage. With the Partnership and SustiNet plan in place, Connecticut would be well positioned to take advantage of federal health care initiatives that are likely to come from Washington in the coming months.

"Her veto of the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill shows that she lacks a sense of urgency when it comes to fixing our broken health care system," Speaker Donovan, a tireless champion of the Partnership bill, continued. "Thousands of small businesses and families need relief sooner, which the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill would have provided."

Speaker Donovan said the fiscal note on the Healthcare Partnership bill asserts the plan would achieve tens of millions of dollars of cost savings for the state. Under the bill, the comptroller can establish a reserve and take other fiscally prudent steps to safeguard against risk.

"We are all well aware that our health care system is broken," he said. "It has formed a chokehold on our economy and stressed personal and business finances across the state—contributing to the historic budget crisis we now face.

"By vetoing the Healthcare Partnership again this year, Governor Rell has ignored the opportunity to provide Connecticut families and businesses relief from the burdens of high health care costs by denying them access to the health plan that she, legislators and state employees already enjoy.

"Just this week Anthem announced plans to raise rates by as much as 32 percent on some Connecticut health insurance policies. Healthcare in this state is not going to fix itself—and this example simply bolsters the need for a public plan to improve competition among private insurance carriers and offer consumers a new choice. I am extremely disappointed in the Governor's veto of both of these landmark pieces of legislation."

Speaker Donovan said the Board of Directors proposed by the SustiNet legislation would represent people from across the state as recommended by members of the General Assembly. "Instead, the Governor wants to assemble a group by herself. She has not shown herself to be sympathetic to consumers in health care. I worry about the composition of a board that is assembled by the Governor alone."

State Representative Steve Fontana (D-North Haven), House chair of the legislative Insurance and Real Estate Committee, said, "Given her pledge last year to work with us on health care reform, I'm truly saddened that the Governor would deny thousands of middle-class families access to the same health care plan that she herself enjoys. Despite her opposition, I look forward to continuing to work with Speaker Donovan and the rest of my colleagues to make quality, affordable health care a reality for all of Connecticut's residents."

State Representative Elizabeth B. Ritter (D-Waterford and Montville), House chair of the legislative Public Health Committee, said of the SustiNet veto, "It is deeply disappointing that the Governor chose to veto this landmark legislation that would expand Connecticut residents' access to quality affordable health care. While we are waiting for decisions at the federal level, it is frustrating to ignore a chance to put Connecticut in the best possible position to benefit from federal health care reform as soon as possible."

Regarding the Governor's veto of the Healthcare Partnership bill, Rep. Ritter said, "In so doing, municipalities lose the opportunity to realize significant savings for their taxpayers and the state has lost an opportunity to save significant money on health care benefits."

"I am dismayed by the Governor's decision to veto the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill," said Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman. "Connecticut's cities, towns and local taxpayers are in need of relief now more than ever. Giving towns like mine the opportunity to join the state employee health plan would provide us with new options for achieving savings without being forced to impact town services or the benefits our employees rely on."

"I think it has become clear that we cannot fix the economy without fixing health care, which is why I am so surprised that Governor Rell chose to veto these important pieces of legislation," said Amy Gladysz, owner of Orbitech Satellite Services in Plainville. "Being self-employed you have enough worries, without having to stress out about being able to afford medical care. I'm dissatisfied with my private insurance—I pay thousands of dollars a year for my policy and my prescription coverage ran out months ago. My family should have access to the same benefits that the state employees receive."

"I am very disappointed with the Governor's decision to veto these bills, which would have provided relief to my agency and many of our clients," said Cathy Zeiner, Executive Director of the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut. "Agencies like mine struggle with skyrocketing premiums every year. In addition to allowing us to offer our employees the quality, affordable coverage they deserve, these bills would give victims of abuse new options. Access to health care is one of the most commonly cited barriers to leaving an abusive relationship."

June 30, 2009

MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS URGE GOV. RELL TO SIGN CONNECTICUT HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP BILL

Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman, Sprague First Selectman Catherine Osten, Windham First Selectman Jean de Smet, West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka, Norwich Mayor Ben Lathrop, Norwich City Manager Alan Bergen, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Gian-Carl Casa, and other municipal officials and municipal organizations called on Governor M. Jodi Rell today to sign landmark health care reform legislation, the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership.

"Connecticut's cities, towns and local taxpayers are in need of relief now more than ever," said Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman. "Giving towns like mine the opportunity to join the state employee health plan will provide us with a new option for managing our costs without being forced to impact town services or the benefits our employees rely on."

"As first selectmen and mayors, we struggle with increasing health care costs when we tackle our municipal budgets," said Sprague First Selectman Catherine Osten. "Connecticut's households and businesses face these same challenges when they deal with unpredictable hikes in their premiums from year to year. This bill is a crucial first step in making health care more affordable. I urge Governor Rell to sign this bill into law as soon as possible."

"The Healthcare Partnership provides the opportunity to streamline Connecticut's health care system. Under this plan, towns like mine could save significantly on their health care costs," said Windham First Selectman Jean de Smet. "This amounts to real savings—without cuts to vital town services."

"The Partnership bill is exactly the kind of creative solution our towns and cities need," said West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka. "This initiative will allow municipalities additional options and flexibility to make smart choices when balancing the need to provide quality health care to attract and retain talented employees with the need to stretch taxpayer dollars."

"In this year of cutting costs and belt-tightening across the board, the Partnership offers the state the opportunity to provide a level of relief to municipalities, who are facing their own fiscal challenges," said Norwich Mayor Ben Lathrop. "I encourage the Governor to endorse this legislation without delay and provide cities like mine with a new choice for employee health care."

"COST appreciates the aggressive action taken by Speaker Chris Donovan, working with Comptroller Nancy Wyman, to address the municipal health care cost crisis," said Barton Russell Executive Director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST). "The Healthcare Partnership bill, which we hope the Governor will sign, has great potential to help many local governments lower the costs of health care insurance for municipal and school employees. While not every town may choose to sign on to the program, the Healthcare Partnership offers a choice never before available and new options for relief are what municipalities need."

"Local officials need tools to help them meet today's economic challenges," said Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Gian-Carl Casa. "This bill provides two such tools by giving them options to help bring down the costs of health care."

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (House Bill 6582), would allow municipalities, small businesses, and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan. This plan would allow employers to offer their employees new coverage options at affordable prices and benefit from the bargaining power and low administrative costs associated with the large state employee pool. By self-insuring the state plan, the proposal would also save the state an estimated $70 million upon implementation, plus ongoing savings of $10-$20 million annually. In May, both chambers of the General Assembly passed the legislation by overwhelming margins. At least 24 states already permit their local government employees to participate in their state employee plans. The bill was delivered to Governor Rell's desk last week and she has until July 8th to take action. If the Governor takes no action on or before July 8th the bill will become law.

June 29, 2009

REP. RITTER & HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS URGE GOV. RELL TO SIGN HEALTH CARE BILLS

State Representative Betsy Ritter (D-Montville/Waterford) and a number of area legislators joined doctors, nurses, non-profit community providers, and small business owners this morning and called on Governor Rell to sign two pieces of landmark health care legislation, the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (House Bill 6582) and SustiNet (House Bill 6600).

"Connecticut families and small businesses are in urgent need of access to affordable, quality health insurance," said Rep. Betsy Ritter who is co-chair of the state legislature's Public Health Committee. "These bills are a crucial first step in making health care more affordable. I urge Governor Rell to sign these much needed bills into law as soon as possible."

State Rep. Steve Fontana (D-North Haven), the co-chair of the state legislature's Insurance Committee stated, "The people of Connecticut want quality, affordable health care, and our two reform bills create the means to provide it. I urge the Governor to sign these bills into law."

"These two bills, by expanding access to affordable health care, do more to move forward health-care reform now in Connecticut than at any time in a generation," said Mark Masselli, President and CEO of Community Health Center Inc. "I want to congratulate Speaker Donovan, Representative Ritter and Senator Harris for their hard work and dedication in getting these bills passed and to the Governor's desk."

"Agencies like mine struggle with skyrocketing premiums every year," said Cathy Zeiner , the Executive Director of the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut. "The Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet bills would allow our agency to offer our employees the quality, affordable coverage they deserve. Further, these plans would provide many of our clients who have significant health needs with new options for obtaining quality coverage."

"What hangs in the balance of the Governor's decision is an important initiative to move our state forward in the 21st century – toward improved quality and access to health care services, toward insurance coverage for those who would otherwise be uninsured, and toward effective checks on runaway health care costs," State Sen. Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford) said. "I urge the Governor to enact these reforms and advance the effort to streamline the state's health care delivery system."

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership would allow small businesses, municipalities, and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan. SustiNet is a comprehensive plan that lays out a framework for opening the state employees' plan to even more residents while containing costs, promoting preventive care, and laying the groundwork for federal health care reform.

State Rep. Tom Reynolds (Ledyard/Montville/Preston) stated, "This is an opportunity to streamline our health care system, stimulate the economy and provide tax relief to our municipalities. The health care pool would increase, thereby growing bargaining power and reducing administrative costs. This is an opportunity we have for reform, and I strongly encourage Governor Rell to sign this legislation."

"Sustinet enables individuals and businesses to make a new public health insurance choice," State Rep. Diana Urban (D-Stonington/North Stonington) said. "While, the Healthcare Partnership opens up the state employee health insurance plan to cities and towns, small employers and their employees, and non profits. These bills represent landmark legislation."

State Rep. Steve Mikutel (D-Griswold) added, "The state's effort to lower costs for municipalities, non-profits and small businesses is commendable. This will allow more people access to health care, but only solves a piece of the problem. Real reform must come from the federal government, a national policy, so the state does not have to bear the costs."

Both bills were delivered to Governor Rell's desk last week and she has until July 8th to sign the bills or veto them. If the Governor takes no action on or before July 8th the bills will become law.

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership legislation will allow municipalities, small businesses and non-profits to voluntarily join a self-insured state employee health plan. It would create a large pool of insured lives with increased bargaining power and lower costs, and through self-insurance would save the state an estimated $70 million upon implementation. It is estimated the state would realize ongoing savings of $10-$20 million annually from self-insuring the state plan.

The SustiNet Plan provides a framework for expanding high quality coverage to more residents and positions Connecticut to take full advantage of federal health care initiatives. The plan includes the creation of multiple coverage pools with several benefit options available to employers and individuals. The plan also calls for the implementation of electronic medical records, care coordination, clinical care and safety guidelines, and preventive care initiatives to drive down costs while improving outcomes. The bill tasks a nine-member board with making specific recommendations on implementation and requires it to issue an expedited set of recommendations on how to best prepare Connecticut for reforms enacted at the federal level, within 60 days of passage of federal legislation.

June 23, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN, SECRETARY OF THE STATE, SENATE PRESIDENT WILLIAMS
URGE GOVERNOR TO SIGN LANDMARK HEALTH CARE REFORM
"Bring affordable health care to every Connecticut family," Speaker Says

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today said Connecticut cannot "afford to wait" on enacting accessible, affordable, quality health care reform, and urged Governor M. Jodi Rell to sign historic legislation delivered to her today.

Speaker Donovan joined Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), other legislators and health care advocates this afternoon to personally deliver the landmark Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet bills to the Governor's office at the State Capitol.

"America is on the fast track to national health care reform," Speaker Donovan said. "Connecticut must be as well."

In a message to Governor Rell, he said, "We implore you not to allow Connecticut to fall behind in a health care reform movement that is right and decent and whose time is now. Sign the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet bills and bring affordable health care to every Connecticut family."

"Let's make Connecticut Obama-ready," Speaker Donovan said in a refrain he's used frequently in reference to the Obama Administration's goal of enacting national health care reform this year.

"At this time of economic uncertainty and spiraling health care costs, the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet Plans both offer small businesses, non-profits, and others the opportunity to access affordable and quality health care," said Secretary of the State Bysiewicz. "I commend the General Assembly for passing these landmark bills, and making Connecticut a national leader on health care. I urge the Governor to support these comprehensive initiatives, and lend a hand to the thousands of struggling entrepreneurs and others across the state without health care."

The SustiNet Plan provides a framework for health care reform based on the recommendations of a voluntary board of directors and advisory committees. The board will produce recommendations on how to make the SustiNet plan available to state employees, municipal, non-profit and small employers, other employers, individuals and eventually the beneficiaries of Connecticut's public health benefit plans (HUSKY Plan Parts A and B). The plan emphasizes evidence-based medicine, prevention, the medical home model of care, and controlling costs through system reforms such as electronic medical records.

A year ago, a Healthcare Partnership bill passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by the Governor. At the time, she indicated her willingness to reconsider the legislation this year.

In his remarks, Speaker Donovan cited a recent New York Times poll where 85% of respondents supported government-backed health care as a competitive option.

"Some of our boldest, most visionary initiatives have been undertaken during times of economic challenge and crisis," Speaker Donovan said.

"Let us not use the current recession as an excuse to neglect our responsibilities to the families of Connecticut. We, and they, can't afford to wait any longer."

June 17, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN PUSHES HEALTH CARE REFORM
IN WASHINGTON, DC TODAY
Will Meet with HHS Secretary Sebelius, Sen. Harkin

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) is in Washington, DC, today for a series of events designed to encourage national leaders to quickly adopt health care reform, including the choice of a public health insurance plan, strong affordability protections, and shared employer responsibility for health care costs.

Speaker Donovan will join state legislators from across the country organized by the Progressive States Network in bringing their message for health care reform to Capitol Hill and the White House.

Speaker Donovan championed the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill recently passed by the Connecticut General Assembly, as well as the SustiNet bill passed by the legislature this spring.

While in Washington, Speaker Donovan will participate with other state legislators in a press conference hosted by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, a press conference with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and a health care policy meeting with Secretary Sebilius and Nancy Ann Deparle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform.

His schedule is as follows:

1:15 p.m.	Progressive States Press Conference Hosted by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin Russell Senate Office Building Room 385
3:00 p.m.	Press Conference with Secretary Sebelius in front of the White House
3:10 p.m.	Meeting with HHS Secretary Sebelius and Director of the White House Office of Health Reform Nancy Ann Deparle
4:15 pm	White House Working Group Briefing

Chris Donovan

June 15, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN, STATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ASK PRESIDENT OBAMA,
CONGRESS TO EXPEDITE FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORMS
Leaders Deliver Letter with More Than 100 Democratic Signatures to Congressman Murphy (CT-5)
Urging 'Bold and Comprehensive Health Care Reform This Year'

Chris Donovan State Democratic leaders today delivered to Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) a letter "urgently" calling on President Barack Obama and Connecticut's Congressional delegation to "take up and pass comprehensive health care reform in 2009."

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) was joined at a news conference by state House and Senate leaders and Democratic constitutional officers to deliver the letter which says, in part, "States cannot achieve affordable health care for all without the investment, leadership and partnership of the federal government. Successful reform requires robust federal-state collaboration."

Speaker Donovan will join the Progressive States organization and other state legislators from across the country in delivering a similar letter to the Congress in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. He also will meet with top White House officials about Connecticut's health care reform initiatives on Wednesday.

The letter continues, "Failure to pass national comprehensive health reform now will further jeopardize state and local budgets, undermining public services like education, public safety, and transportation infrastructure. We call on President Obama and the Congress to enact bold and comprehensive health care reform this year – based on these principles and a strong federal-state collaboration – and pledge our support as state legislators and allies in pursuit of high quality, affordable health care for all."

The Connecticut General Assembly recently passed two pieces of landmark health care reform legislation, SustiNet and the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership, as President Obama and the Congress consider reform legislation at the federal level. The letter to the President and Congressional leaders is signed by leadership from the state House and Senate, more than 100 members of the General Assembly, the State Attorney General, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer and State Comptroller.

Chris Donovan Congressman Murphy said, "Health care reform needs to happen at all levels of government, so I'm pleased that under Speaker Donovan's leadership, we have made great strides in Connecticut to prepare for a new era in health care policy that will lower costs and provide more choices to people. In the coming weeks, I am going to work with President Obama and my colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to craft a bill that will fix our broken health care system.

"Right now, everyone is at the table, talking about how to provide an array of options for quality care at an affordable price, and I look forward to taking Connecticut's success stories to Washington for that conversation."

"We've got a chance to make sure Connecticut is Obama-ready," Speaker Donovan said. "President Obama and the Congress are pushing to enact sweeping, national health care reform legislation as early as this summer. The time for health care reform in this country, and in Connecticut, is long overdue. With reform now a national priority, we can position Connecticut for a leadership role in giving our families health care they deserve. The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet bills will provide those families with real health care options, can provide economic relief to the state, our towns, small businesses and non-profits at a time of need, and will ready Connecticut for federal reforms when they are passed."

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, "Real reform is within reach – if we have the determination and daring to grasp it. Our state has taken a huge, historic step through SustiNet and the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership, making us truly ready for federal reform. Every year, my office assists hundreds of desperate consumers denied insurance coverage necessary for vital care.

"Tragically, greed now typically trumps medical need, fairness and common sense. A new public insurance program – committed to patient wellbeing, not the bottom line – is vital to improving health care access and quality, as well as lowering rates. Competition is key. Profit-making health care providers, who claim to be the most efficient, should relish rather than recoil from such competition."

"Connecticut is proud to be a leader on comprehensive health care reform, with two landmark bills--the Connecticut Health Care Partnership and the SustiNet Plan--passed by its General Assembly; these pieces of legislation can serve as blueprints for similar federal legislation," said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.

June 15, 2009

President Barack Obama 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500	U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd 448 Russell Office Building Washington, DC 20510
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman 706 Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510	U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney 215 Cannon Office Building Washington, DC 20515
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro 2413 Rayburn Office Building Washington, DC 20515	U.S. Rep. Jim Himes 214 Cannon Office Building Washington, DC 20515
U.S. Rep. John Larson 106 Cannon Office Building Washington, DC 20515	U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy 412 Cannon Office Building Washington, DC 20515

Dear President Obama, Sen.s Dodd & Lieberman, & Rep.s Courtney, DeLauro, Himes, Larson, & Murphy:

As leaders in the State of Connecticut, we urgently call on you, to take up and pass comprehensive health care reform in 2009.

The serious problems with health care in America – ever-rising costs, limited access, inconsistent quality, waste and inefficiency – converge in the states. The effects of these problems stress state budgets, exhaust family resources, result in lost worker productivity, stifle entrepreneurial spirit, and literally cause tens of thousands of deaths each year.

Our disjointed health care system has formed a choke-hold on our economy, limiting job growth and economic development. We cannot fix the economy without fixing health care.

Over the past decade, state legislatures have debated and implemented a myriad of reforms to bring affordability, quality and fairness to health care in America – designing solutions that reflect each state's unique economic, social, and geographic factors. States play a vital role in the health care of hundreds of millions of Americans by administering and helping to fund public programs like Medicaid and SCHIP, enacting innovations to expand access to public and private coverage, and serving as watchdogs of health insurance companies and other players.

Yet, states cannot achieve affordable health care for all without the investment, leadership and partnership of the federal government. Successful reform requires robust federal-state collaboration.

Key priorities for reform are reflected in state initiatives, such as those recently passed by the Connecticut General Assembly. The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership proposal, which pools together different employee groups under the state employees' health plan, would result in savings for municipalities, small businesses and non-profits, while increasing access. The SustiNet plan lays out a framework for expanding access to high quality coverage to more residents, while containing costs, promoting preventive care, and laying a groundwork for federal health care reform.

Americans recognize that the private sector alone has proven incapable of creating a high-quality, fair, and accountable health care system that works for all families. Therefore, a key priority for reform is the choice of a public health insurance plan that is available to businesses, individuals, and families. Another key priority is strengthening and expanding the Medicaid program with the help of enhanced federal support so that it can serve all low-income Americans. Related priorities include: guaranteeing affordability for individuals and businesses; preserving consumer choice of doctors; eliminating racial, ethnic, and rural health disparities; ensuring shared responsibility among employers, individuals and government in financing health care; and, cost containment strategies that eliminate waste and inefficiency and improve quality, especially for people with chronic illnesses.

Failure to pass national comprehensive health reform now will further jeopardize state and local budgets, undermining public services like education, public safety, and transportation infrastructure. The recently passed economic recovery package includes a number of positive health care measures, but these do not remove states from the critical list. Achieving a high-performing, affordable and quality health care system for all U.S. residents is central to a sustainable economic recovery and to the health and financial security of all families, businesses, and governments

We, the undersigned, call on President Obama and the Congress to enact bold and comprehensive health care reform this year – based on these principles and a strong federal-state collaboration – and pledge our support as state legislators and allies in pursuit of high quality, affordable health care for all.

Speaker Christopher G. Donovan
Sen. Don Williams
Secretary of the State, Susan Bysiewicz
Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal
State Comptroller, Nancy Wyman
Treasurer, Denise L. Nappier
Rep. Denise W. Merrill
Sen. Martin Looney
Rep. Minnie Gonzalez
Rep. Kelvin Roldan
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey
Rep. Hector L. Robles
Rep. Douglas McCrory
Rep. Joan A. Lewis
Rep. Jason Rojas
Rep. Henry J. Genga
Rep. Timothy D. Larson
Rep. Ryan P. Barry
Rep. John W. Thompson
Rep. David A. Baram
Rep. Andrew M. Fleischmann
Rep. Beth Bye
Rep. David McCluskey
Rep. Demetrios S. Giannaros
Rep. Elizabeth A. Boukus
Rep. Tim O'Brien
Rep. John C. Geragosian
Rep. Peter A. Tercyak
Rep. Sandy H. Nafis
Rep. Russell A. Morin
Rep. Antonio Guerrera
Rep. Joe Aresimowicz
Rep. Thomas J. Kehoe
Rep. James A. O'Rourke
Rep. Joseph C. Serra
Rep. Gail K. Hamm
Rep. James F. Spallone
Rep. Ed Jutila
Rep. Elizabeth B. Ritter
Rep. Ernest Hewett
Rep. Edward E. Moukawsher
Rep. Elissa T. Wright
Rep. Tom Reynolds

Rep. Diana S. Urban
Rep. Mae Flexer
Rep. Steven T. Mikutel
Rep. Melissa M. Olson
Rep. Linda A. Orange
Rep. Susan M. Johnson
Rep. Bryan Hurlburt
Rep. Claire L. Janowski
Rep. Ted C. Graziani
Rep. Kathleen M. Tallarita
Rep. Karen Jarmoc
Rep. Peggy Sayers
Rep. Matthew J. Conway
Rep. Maryanne Hornish
Rep. Roberta B. Willis
Rep. Michelle L. Cook
Rep. Larry B. Butler
Rep. Jeffrey J. Berger
Rep. David Aldarondo
Rep. Christopher A. Wright
Rep. Frank N. Nicastro
Rep. John "Corky" Mazurek
Rep. Bruce Zalaski
Rep. Emil Altobello
Rep. Catherine F. Abercrombie
Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky
Rep. Steve Fontana
Rep. Brendan Sharkey
Rep. Vickie O. Nardello
Rep. Mary G. Fritz
Rep. Peter F. Villano
Rep. Patricia A. Dillon
Rep. Toni E. Walker
Rep. Gary A. Holder-Winfield
Rep. Juan R. Candelaria
Rep. Cameron C. Staples
Rep. Robert W. Megna
Rep. Patricia M. Widlitz
Rep. Michael P. Lawlor
Rep. Matthew Lesser
Rep. Deborah W. Heinrich
Rep. Lonnie Reed
Rep. Elizabeth Esty

Rep. Linda M. Gentile
Rep. Theresa W. Conroy
Rep. Christopher Lyddy
Rep. Joseph J. Taborsak
Rep. Bob Godfrey
Rep. Stephen D. Dargan
Rep. Louis P. Esposito
Rep. Paul Davis
Rep. Barbara L. Lambert
Rep. Richard Roy
Rep. Terry Backer
Rep. Charles D. Clemons
Rep. Christopher L. Caruso
Rep. Jack F. Hennessy
Rep. Andres Ayala
Rep. Auden Grogins
Rep. Ezequiel Santiago
Rep. Thomas J. Drew
Rep. Kim Fawcett
Rep. Joseph S. Mioli
Rep. Chris Perone
Rep. Kevin Ryan
Rep. Bruce V. Morris
Rep. Margaret Reeves
Rep. Jim Shapiro
Rep. Patricia B. Miller
Rep. Gerald M. Fox
Rep. William Tong
Rep. Carlo Leone
Rep. Kenneth P. Green
Rep. Jason W. Bartlett
Sen. Donald DeFronzo
Sen. Andrew Maynard
Sen. Anthony J. Musto
Sen. Ed Gomes
Sen. Bob Duff
Sen. Gary LeBeau
Sen. Edith G. Prague
Sen. Mary Ann Handley
Sen. Andrea Stillman
Sen. Edward Meyer
Sen. Toni Harp
Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr

May 30, 2009

SENATE JOINS HOUSE IN PASSING HEALTH CARE BILLS;
SPEAKER DONOVAN SAYS ACTION PUTS STATE NEARER
TO REFORMS TO HELP CONNECTICUT FAMILIES

"Tens of thousands of people in Connecticut deserve access to affordable, quality health care," Speaker Donovan said. "We owe it to them give them that access. The time for health care reform in this country and in Connecticut is long overdue. Today, we are one step closer to remedying that.

"Connecticut took another major step toward becoming a national leader in health care reform as the state Senate joined the House of Representatives in passing two important pieces of health care reform legislation.

"President Obama is pushing to enact sweeping, national health care reform, and the Congress is expected to consider those reforms as early as this summer. Now, the Connecticut legislature has made a loud and clear statement that we will be Obama-ready.

"I commend Senator Harris, Senator Williams, Senator Crisco and others who joined with their colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing he Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet Plan bills. We have given new hope to families across Connecticut that health care assistance may be on the way."

May 20, 2009

LANDMARK HEALTH CARE REFORM BILLS PASS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Speaker Donovan Says Passage Brings Dream of Quality,
Affordable Healthcare Closer to Reality for Connecticut Families

The Connecticut House of Representatives today passed landmark health care reform legislation – the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet bills – that will offer greater access to health care and allow municipalities and other eligible groups to potentially see a reduction in health care costs.

"Connecticut can be a national leader in health care reform, and these initiatives are big steps in that direction," said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), the Healthcare Partnership bill's sponsor and champion. "With our action today, the dream of quality, affordable health care is closer to reality for thousands of people in Connecticut."

The bills now move on to the Senate for consideration. A year ago, a Healthcare Partnership bill passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor M. Jodi Rell. At the time, the Governor indicated her willingness to reconsider the legislation this year, and since January Speaker Donovan has been meeting with Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele on health care reform.

"We've got a chance to make sure Connecticut is Obama-ready," Speaker Donovan added, noting President Barack Obama's push to enact sweeping, national health care reform legislation as early as this summer. "The time for health care reform in this country, and in Connecticut, is long overdue. With reform now a national priority, we can position Connecticut for a leadership role in giving our families health care they deserve. These bills will provide those families with real health care options, can provide economic relief to the state, our towns, small businesses and non-profits at a time of need, and will ready Connecticut for federal reforms when they are passed."

"We need to continue the push for increased access to quality affordable health care for the residents of Connecticut," Rep. Elizabeth Ritter, House Chair of the Public Health Committee, said. "The Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet are key parts of solving this health care puzzle."

May 7, 2009

HB 6582: A SMART SOLUTION FOR STUBBORN ECONOMIC TIMES
OFFERS SOLACE TO LOCAL TAXPAYERS SEEKING RELIEF

HARTFORD – Labor and municipal management officials are calling on lawmakers to use the recession as a strong motivator to adopt HB 6582—An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership—to enable towns and cities to reduce health care costs.

"We've seen too much inertia. If legislators needed some reason to take decisive action on health care for municipal employees, then they've got it with the recession," says Sal Luciano, executive vice president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.
"The breaking point in escalating health care costs can become the turning point for positive change and innovation if the legislature passes HB 6582," says John Yrchik, executive director of the Connecticut Education Association. "We're urging the General Assembly to expedite this critical legislation."

HB 6582 would open the State Employee Health Plan and allow municipalities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations voluntarily to join the state employees' health insurance pool. These employers can join the pool if they feel it is a fiscally prudent alternative to their current plan. The measure's flexibility will give rise to innovation and cost savings because municipalities and other employers could take advantage of the increased bargaining power and reduced administrative costs associated with the state plan.

Yrchik continues, "Labor and management feel enormous pressures. The cost efficiency embodied in this legislation is much more beneficial than the status quo—to workers and taxpayers alike. Teachers want to work with municipalities to provide relief and help offset local property taxes."

Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy says, "The high cost of health care only adds to the burden of taxpayers during this recession. I am here to encourage members of the legislature to take action so that we can offer affordable and high-quality coverage."

Joseph Cirasuolo, the executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, says, "Given the very difficult economic conditions that we are facing, municipalities and school districts need to be able to save as much money as possible without cutting services. HB 6582 enables municipalities to save funds in the area of personnel costs, the area that funds the most important part of their operations, that is the personnel who deliver the services that citizens expect from municipalities and school districts."

"This bill provides cities and towns with an opportunity to cut health care costs while preserving education," says Sharon Palmer, president of AFT Connecticut. "It will provide a good plan, save local tax dollars and help us move toward quality, affordable health coverage for everyone in the state."

Bill Boyd, a member of the Middletown Board of Education, says, "The more choices the better to hold costs down at the local level."

Labor and municipal management officials held a news conference today at the LOB. They believe that the increased bargaining power and reduced administrative costs associated with joining the state plan should be irresistible to cash-strapped taxpayers looking to reduce expenses. Yrchik says, "We're trying to get the word out to citizens about the opportunity this legislation provides to control costs. We hope citizens heed our call and contact their legislators."

The coalition released hard facts and solid numbers about the savings inherent in the proposed legislation. Please see attached documents.

Other key facts about the legislation:

The State Employee Health Plan has been providing adequate benefits to state employees, while keeping cost increases to a minimum, in large part due to the efforts of the state's health care cost containment committee, which would continue to oversee the plan under this proposal.
This proposal would result in savings for cities and towns—potentially millions of dollars in municipalities across the state.
Many small employers would provide the state level of benefits if they were available in the marketplace for an affordable price.

April 20, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN SAYS PUBLIC OPTION OF HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP
IS ANSWER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Calls Chamber of Commerce Proposal High Cost, Low Benefit, and Mandatory

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan today said a Chamber of Commerce health care proposal is "a higher cost, lower benefit, mandatory program that is in sharp contrast to the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill" he is championing for municipalities, small businesses and non-profits.

He responded to statements by representatives of the State's Chambers of Commerce and their benefits arm regarding HB 6582, the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill, which would open the state employee health plan to small businesses, non-profits and municipalities.

"Connecticut's economy is driven by small businesses, and yet they are struggling under the weight of the ever-increasing cost of providing health care to their workers. They simply cannot access quality benefits in an affordable way on the private insurance market," Speaker Donovan said.

Citing a 2007 Health Insurance Policy Council report, Speaker Donovan said that over 50% of Connecticut's uninsured workers and their dependents are in firms with less than 50 employees.

"Most small businesses want to provide their employees with high quality health care. The Healthcare Partnership bill provides businesses with a new choice—the same choice that state employees, legislators and even the Governor enjoy," he said. "This will allow businesses to stretch their dollars further, attract talented people, and grow their organizations."

While representatives of the Chambers of Commerce stated that joining the state plan would limit their choices, without producing a savings, the state's coverage currently includes a total of 12 plans provided by three separate insurance companies. Annual premiums for comprehensive employee coverage under the state's plan start at under $4,700 per year.

Linda St. Peter, president of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, said that her members have struggled with health insurance issues ranging from cost to pre-existing conditions for years. "It is imperative that a solution be found now. Opening the state plan to small businesses will help people like my members access affordable coverage, control our costs and reinvest those savings to help our businesses grow."

Dan Russo, an attorney from Middletown who pays over $36,000 a year in premiums to cover himself and his wife said he would see a savings if small businesses were allowed join the state plan. "Under the health care partnership bill, my annually premiums could be cut by at least half and possibly by two thirds of what I'm currently paying for my wife and myself for comparable benefits," he said.

Russo has previously explored purchasing coverage through his local chamber of commerce, but found its offerings to be unaffordable.

"It used to be that you could join a group like the chamber of commerce and get coverage that's more affordable. That's no longer the case. It's still a means of obtaining coverage, but for a small business you're obtaining it for your small group, not benefiting from a larger group, as you would under the partnership bill," he said. "I think that any small business would be better off under the state plan than on their own."

Kevin Galvin is the owner of Connecticut Commercial Maintenance and chair of the advisory committee of the 19,000 member Small Business for health care Reform organization. "The need for health care legislation framed around the Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet proposals to pass this session is critical for the state's economy and the individual economies of all the small businesses in the state," he said. Galvin's organization, whose board includes representatives from some of the state's chambers of commerce, provides small businesses with an independent voice on health care reform.

One of the options Connecticut's Chambers propose is the creation of an affordable insurance pool, where participants pay their way. This idea is very similar to that contained in HB 6582, which would pool together small businesses, non-profits and municipalities with the over 200,000 lives currently on the State plan. Each employer would pay its share, and benefit from the bargaining power and reduced administrative costs secured by the larger group.

"I am pleased to hear that the Chambers of Commerce are coming forward with thoughtful suggestions for long-term reform. Included in this menu of options are some excellent goals, which I look forward to discussing in further detail," Speaker Donovan said. "However, some of these options would require substantial funds at a time when the state is facing a historic deficit."

The legislature's Office of Fiscal Analysis estimates that the Healthcare Partnership bill would produce an up-front savings of $70 million upon implementation and the state would see ongoing savings from self-insuring the state plan.

March 10, 2009

HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP LEGISLATION PASSES INSURANCE COMMITTEE
SPEAKER DONOVAN SAYS BILL WILL HELP TOWNS, SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS;
LAMENTS LACK OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) applauded the Insurance and Real Estate Committee's passage of legislation establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (HB 6582).

The legislation would allow municipalities, small businesses and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health plan, creating a large pool of insured lives with increased bargaining power and lower costs.

"The health care partnership proposal would save state dollars and provide the economic relief our towns, small businesses and non-profit providers have been asking for." Speaker Donovan said. "Despite being the economic foundation of Connecticut's economy, small businesses in particular are struggling to provide affordable health care to their employees. This bill will help them stretch their dollars further and succeed in the face of financial challenges."

The bill passed the committee on a party line vote of 14-5.

"At a time when community providers are struggling to provide essential services, the Healthcare Partnership proposal could help address growing costs and improve our ability to provide core services to Connecticut's most vulnerable citizens," said Alyssa Goduti, vice president for Public Policy at the Connecticut Community Providers Association.

Speaker Donovan added, "I am disappointed to see the Republicans again this year working to deny the taxpayers of this state access to the high quality health insurance that they enjoy as legislators."

Doubly disappointing, Speaker Donovan said, is the fact that the Republicans voted against the advice of their own expert. Governor M. Jodi Rell invited David Osborne, expert in budgeting and improving government performance, to speak with legislators several weeks ago. Osborne advocated for the creation of a statewide health care purchasing pool as a mechanism for containing costs and stimulating competition for better benefits at lower prices.

Speaker Donovan thanked Senator Joseph Crisco and Representative Steve Fontana, Insurance and Real Estate Committee co-chairs, for their leadership on the legislation.

Speaker Donovan championed a similar bill a year ago, where it passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Rell. At the time, the Governor indicated her willingness to have further discussions on the legislation. Since mid-January, the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele have been meeting regularly to discuss health care initiatives, including the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership.

March 2, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN SAYS TIME IS RIGHT FOR HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP
Questions Assertions of OPM Secretary Genuario: They Don't Make Sense

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) told a legislative committee that passage of the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership this year is "an important step toward our goals of saving state dollars, providing relief to municipalities and the small businesses and non-profits we rely on, and expanding access to high quality affordable health care options."

Donovan made his remarks at a public hearing of the Insurance and Real Estate, Human Services and Public Health Committees of the General Assembly at the Legislative Office Building today.

Speaker Donovan championed a similar bill a year ago, where it passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor M. Jodi Rell. At the time, the Governor indicated her willingness to have further discussions on the legislation. Since mid-January, the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele have been meeting regularly to discuss health care initiatives, including the Connecticut Health Care Partnership.

Responding to criticisms of the bill expressed today by Office of Policy and Management Secretary Robert L. Genuario, Speaker Donovan said, "The Secretary's assumptions just don't make sense. The Governor's own choice to give us advice on restructuring government, David Osborne, makes a strong case for the benefits of health care purchasing pools. The non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis and the State Comptroller's Office both have expressed the opinion that a self-insured health care pooling plan could save the state tens of millions of dollars in the next few years."

Beyond those savings, Speaker Donovan said, are savings that could be realized by municipalities that are hurting from the economic downturn. "Given the changes our state has experienced in the past year, the time is even more right for municipalities to be given the chance to participate in this kind of plan," he said.

As far as Secretary Genuario's contention that Connecticut's small businesses are largely able to meet the needs of their employees' health care needs, Speaker Donovan said, "That's not what I'm hearing from small business owners. In fact, what I'm hearing is quite the opposite – that an inability to provide affordable, quality health care is the single biggest obstacle to attracting talented people, keeping people employed and growing their businesses."

February 27, 2009

SENATE PRESIDENT WILLIAMS, SPEAKER DONOVAN APPLAUD HEALTHFIRST CT's WORK
TO INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE

Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) – on the heels of President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress where he labeled health care as one of the nation's top priorities – applauded the members of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority (HealthFirst) for their hard work in producing a menu of options to improve Connecticut residents' access to quality health care.

HealthFirst was charged by the General Assembly in 2007 to study and make recommendations of ways to guarantee access to health care for Connecticut residents. HealthFirst approved their final report this week (www.healthfirstct.org).

"Connecticut residents must have access to quality, affordable health care," Speaker Donovan said. "During this financial crisis, the state is desperately seeking ways to save money while protecting key services. Health care pooling can save millions of dollars and provide better health care coverage. From pooling to maximizing federal funds, the HealthFirst Authority covered all the bases and gave the legislature a lot the chew on as we work on health care policy this year."

"What we used to debate has now been accepted as fact: there is a health care crisis in Connecticut, with more than 300,000 people uninsured. That is an unacceptable situation for the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country in the word," Sen. Williams said. "The health care experts and stakeholders who make up HealthFirst have provided us with a well-researched and cutting-edge list of options for the legislature to consider this session. As we continue to address Connecticut's worsening financial situation, we will simultaneously work to find cost-effective and workable solutions to the health care needs of Connecticut residents."

Both thanked HealthFirst for its efforts to encourage a public dialogue on the many options to improving access to health care, noting that all affected parties – insurers, hospitals, providers, businesses – were at the table and that the document reflects compromises from every group.

Some of the options explored by HealthFirst's report include:

Maximizing federal reimbursements
Pooling
Electronic health records
Improved chronic disease management

The HealthFirst Connecticut Authority – made up of representatives from hospitals, health care professionals, small and large business, consumers, insurance companies, advocates and government – was created statutorily through Public Act 07-185.

January 13, 2009

HOUSE SPEAKER DONOVAN WELCOMES LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
TO IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS ON HEALTH CARE

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today expressed enthusiasm for the appointment of Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele to a working group that will look at health care initiatives, including the Connecticut Health Care Partnership, that can better serve citizens in Connecticut and save taxpayer dollars.

The appointment was made by Governor M. Jodi Rell following conversations between her and Speaker Donovan last week.

"This is a positive sign that the governor is serious about working with the Democratic leadership to provide quality health care and cost relief to so many across the state who stand to benefit from this kind of legislation," Speaker Donovan said. "I look forward to working with the lieutenant governor and others to bring creative solutions to one of our most vexing and costly problems."

Last year, the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership was approved by both the House and Senate, only to be vetoed by Governor Rell. The governor indicated at that time that she was willing to have further discussions on the legislation, and Speaker Donovan hailed the governor's appointment of the lieutenant governor to the working group as a signal that she is making good on that commitment.

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership was designed to provide quality health care at significant savings for small businesses, municipalities and non-profits by allowing them to share in the state health care plan. The Partnership would allow small businesses, municipalities and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan, creating a large pool of insured individuals leading to increased buying power and lower costs.

"Whether it's the Partnership legislation we in the House and our colleagues in the Senate supported last year, or a variation that emerges in our discussions, I look forward to finding agreement on an issue that will improve the lives of thousands of Connecticut citizens and that can address budget challenges that all of us are grappling with," Speaker Donovan said.