Connecticut is among the most expensive health care costs states based on its public policies, according to a new ranking by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council.
The small business advocacy group ranked Connecticut as the eighth most expensive health care costs state spurred largely by the large number of insurance coverage mandates required under state law.
The annual health care ranking is based on seven public policy measures that add or reduce costs, including tax treatment of health savings accounts, various forms of guaranteed issue regulation, and the number of insurance coverage mandates required under the law.
Northeastern states ranked near the bottom of the list, with Maine coming in dead last as the most expensive state, preceded by Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.
The five best states in terms of state health care policies, according to the SBEC, are South Carolina, Alaska, Iowa, Indiana, and South Dakota.
Insurance coverage mandates have been a hot political issue in Connecticut for years and state lawmakers annually propose bills that would require expanded coverage options.
According to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, Connecticut has 59 health mandates on its books.
