Democratic lawmakers are expected to raise the SustiNet universal healthcare bill Wednesday, which will likely begin a heated debate over the plan, which calls for a public health insurance option for the state of Connecticut.
The bill will be raised in the legislature’s public health committee and House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, and Comptroller Kevin Lembo scheduled a press conference Wednesday morning to throw their support behind the measure.
The legislation will be based on the SustiNet Board’s final report to the General Assembly.
The central component of the plan includes establishing a self-insured state insurance choice for municipalities that would gradually be expanded to private employers, small businesses, nonprofits and households.
That option would be offered both inside and outside the health insurance exchange that Connecticut is required to setup by 2014 under the new federal health care reform law.
The plan also calls for payment reforms including implementing the medical home model concept and linking provider payments to performance; expanding the state’s Medicaid program; and investments in electronic health records.
The business community remains split over the plan.
