Call these three Democratic lawmakers the core of Connecticut’s healthcare-reform caucus, though there’s technically no such thing.
Sen. Martin Looney and Matt Lesser and Rep. Sean Scanlon stood together in early 2019, supporting the creation of a public-option health plan that would allow small businesses to buy into a state health plan in order to save money.
A few months later, the bill was dead, as Gov. Ned Lamont pulled his support amid fierce insurer opposition.
Not being able to get a bill over the finish line is common, particularly one that would cost powerful interests, but the three politicians have pursued plenty of other reforms.
Looney, who has been in the Senate since 1993, has collaborated across the aisle over the years with GOP Sen. Len Fasano on numerous reforms, including a crackdown on out-of-network surprise billing and increased scrutiny of hospitals buying up doctor groups.
Lesser and Scanlon, elected in 2008 and 2015, respectively, co-chair the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, where they’ve sought to crack down on skyrocketing premiums charged by long-term care insurers. This year, they backed a bill that would place low monthly price caps on insulin for diabetic patients.