Democratic leaders of the state House of Representatives say they’ll take up a bill that would open up the state employee health insurance plan to municipalities, small businesses and nonprofit agencies.
The bill is being pushed by House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan of Meriden and is an attempt to reduce costs for the groups and boost benefits for their employees.
But Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s budget director has concerns. The state recently rebid its state employee health care plan and was able to save about $54 million. But he says two of the three insurers that offer policies to state employees say they’ll immediately re-rate their bids if the bill passes.
Rell’s office also questions whether cities and towns will actually save money under the Democrats’ proposal.
