Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) and State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield), ranking member of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, today submitted testimony (attached) to the Connecticut Insurance Department opposing proposed health insurance rate hikes now being reviewed and considered by state regulators.
The lawmakers also renewed their calls for health care affordability reforms that Democrat leaders blocked during this year’s legislative session.
“Connecticut residents cannot afford more expensive health care costs,” said Sens. Kelly and Hwang. “Cost growth is out of control and insurance premiums are often the size of a monthly mortgage payment. CT’s average insurance premium for family coverage is already more expensive than a Honda Civic. At the same time, people are also still trying to financially recover from the pandemic. Connecticut families deserve better. There is a better way to reduce the growth of cost drivers, improve affordability and access, and increase quality care. But Democratic leaders in control of the legislature refused to consider those ideas.”
The lawmakers wrote to the Insurance Commissioner asking that officials carefully consider the impact of rate hikes on CT families and also consider proposals to reduce health care costs.
“Connecticut Republicans have a better way on health care and a comprehensive plan to reduce health care costs. Seeing these steep proposed increases is particularly infuriating considering that Democrat lawmakers refused to take action to reduce health insurance premiums and health care costs this past legislative session.
“Connecticut Republicans are offering a better way to fix the current system – to actually deliver on the promises of the Affordable Care Act – to remove barriers to access, to preserve quality, and to reduce health care costs for all families,” said Kelly and Hwang.
The Connecticut Senate Republican Plan for A Better Way to Affordable Health Care includes multiple policies to:
- Reduce health insurance premiums by 30% for the average family using a reinsurance framework established by the Affordable Care Act and supported by Gov. Lamont but never funded by Democrats.
- Drive down out of control industry cost growth with a benchmarking program championed by Republican Governor Charlie Baker that has already saved Massachusetts residents billions of dollars in health care costs.
- Reduce prescription drug costs by setting up Connecticut for Canadian drug importation, something President Biden is now encouraging states to do.
Sen. Kelly and Sen. Hwang are also urging members of the public to submit testimony on the proposed rate hikes.
Details on how to submit or testify virtually are available here.
Read the testimony here.
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