Small Business Employee Healthcare Bill Faces Uncertain Future A critical bill providing small business employees with affordable, high-quality healthcare plans is in doubt after a legislative committee failed to act on any legislation. The Insurance and Real Estate Committee failed to favorably report any legislation raised this session before its March 21 deadline, effectively killing every bill. HB 5247, which has broad bipartisan support, received the most attention during the committee’s public hearing process, with more than 50 small employers and trade associations testifying in support. The bill allowed trade associations and chambers of commerce to aggregate their membership and offer self-funded health benefit plans regulated by the Connecticut Insurance Department. That bill was also the focus of a March 18 press conference at the state Capitol featuring Democratic and Republican lawmakers and small business and nonprofit groups. ‘Connecticut Should Lead’ ‘Connecticut Should Lead’
Women’s Business Development Council CEO Fran Pastore was among the speakers at that press conference, saying that Connecticut “should be a leader” on the issue. “It would be a game changer to be able to have small businesses buy into a plan and take care of their employees,” she said. “The single most important thing that our clients ask us is, ‘How can we become a member and if we are members, is there a way that we can buy into a health plan?’” Waterbury Regional Chamber president and CEO Lynn Ward said small businesses “need solutions to make it easier to keep and attract employees.” “Connecticut’s workforce does not grow unless the population does, and our population does not grow unless our state is affordable,” she said. “This bill helps small businesses attract talent, giving them the ability to band together to provide quality, affordable health insurance benefits to their employees, our residents.” Governor’s Bill Governor’s Bill
HB 5054, proposed by the Lamont administration, was another the casualty of the committee’s inaction. A major priority for Gov. Ned Lamont, the bill created a performance improvement plan mechanism in the state’s healthcare cost-growth benchmarking. It also established a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze data from multiple sources to review the price and cost growth of prescription drugs. The bill also integrated affordability standards into rate review process for state-regulated insurance carriers. Other casualties included HB 5241, which expanded health insurance options for small employers by removing certain copayment limitations for copayment-only health plans offered in the state. It also streamlined the health benefit review program by requiring the committee to review each mandated health benefit bill that received a public hearing. In all, more than 40 bills died because of the committee’s inaction. For more information, contact CBIA’s Wyatt Bosworth (860.244.1155) | @WyattBosworthCT . RELATED EXPLORE BY CATEGORY Stay Connected with CBIA News Digests The latest news and information delivered directly to your inbox.
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