The state’s largest business organization is warning that proposed legislation, HB 6710, is being impugned by “a deliberate misinformation campaign.”
The bill would allow trade associations to offer large group health plans to their members, enabling small businesses to buy insurance for their employees together as a single entity instead of negotiating individually.
In a letter sent Monday to members of the state House of Representatives, Connecticut Business & Industry Association president and CEO Chris DiPentima urged lawmakers “to reject the misinformation and falsehoods being advanced by national special interest groups.”
Patient advocates have said they’re concerned that the legislation could allow plans to charge higher rates to companies employing people who get sick or injured.
Advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Health Equity Solutions submitted testimony opposing the legislation.
However, last week, a rewritten version of the bill got broader patient advocate support.
The latest version of the bill offers stronger consumer protections, including limits on the percentage by which an association health plan can raise premiums for any small business member of the plan, should employees of that business get sick or injured, the CT Mirror reported.
DiPentima said that since the final negotiated amendment was made public, many opponents have retracted their statements.
DiPentima called HB 6710 “a landmark proposal” that makes high quality health plans more affordable for small businesses and their employees, “along with unprecedented consumer protections that will be the strongest in the country.”
