The state’s options for reforming its health-insurance system narrowed this week with the expiration of the senate Republican’s plan, which failed to advance out of committee.
Titled “A Better Way to Affordable Health Care,” the GOP proposal stalled in the Assembly’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee, expiring after a Thursday deadline.
The two proposals still under consideration by state lawmakers are Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan to bolster the state’s insurance exchange and a proposal from Comptroller Kevin Lembo that would create a new public option system.
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association and other business groups have criticized the new taxes included as part of both proposals.
“The only health care proposal they did not advance was a plan that would offer direct relief to middle class families and rein in the out of control growth of healthcare costs,” read a statement by Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) and State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield). “CT Democrats are unwilling to even have a conversation about a better way.”
Key to the Republican plan was a proposal to lower drug prices by importing cheaper pharmaceuticals from Canada.
But Sen. Matt Lesser, Democratic chairman of the insurance committee, shot down that idea at a news conference Tuesday on pandemic funding for insurance premiums, citing a new Canadian law prohibiting the re-export of drugs. Any plans for lowering drug prices through Canada are now “on the back burner,” he added.
Democrats are determined to move ahead with changes in the state’s insurance system this year, Lesser said, with an eye on lowering costs for small businesses.
“This is the year for health reform,” Lesser said. “I’m hoping we can pass landmark health insurance plans this year… We’ve got to do a lot to address small business affordability.”
