Search


Recent Comments

RSS Feed

Subscribe to this blog's feed
[What is this?]

Categories

  • Cartoons
    • Rell and Her Vetoes
    • Moral Compass
    • Gas Prices on the Rise
  • Corporate Watch
    • Big Oil Drank Your Stimulus Check
    • Blumenthal Tells Internet Company to Stop Snooping
    • Public's Right-to-Know Prevails
  • Courts
    • Accused Johns Plead in Prostitution Sting
    • In Foreclosure, Judge's Hands Tied
    • Fighting Foreclosure on Cornwall Street
  • CT Elections 2006
    • Closure on 2006 Democratic Primary
    • Daily Kos Poll Finds Many in CT Would Change Vote
    • Edited: Waxing Nostalgic
  • Election 2008
    • Rosa's 9 Sentences In The Limelight
    • Quick Update From the DNC Floor
    • Local Delegates Take Deep Breath
  • Environment
    • Environmental Groups Mad at Rell's Proposed Changes
    • Wind Turbines Pitched In New Haven
    • DeLauro Sees 'Perfect Storm' on Oil
  • General News
    • Rell Delivers The Check to Common Ground
    • Kirkley-Bey on ending the cycle of violence in Hartford
    • City Youth Strut Their Stuff
  • Health Care
    • Rell Prepared to Ignore Council's Recommendation
    • Decision To Join Charter Oak
      Not Easy For State Hospital
    • Five More Hospitals Enroll In Charter Oak
  • Iraq at Home
    • Five Years of War
    • Hartford Passes Anti-War Resolution...5 Years Too Late?
    • Lindorff Makes a Case for Impeachment
  • Labor
    • Yale-New Haven Hospital Hands Union $2M
    • Fighting to Keep Living Wage Law in Manchester
    • Protesters Dog Hartford Schools Superintendent as Unions Fight Tooth and Nail for Jobs, Benefits
  • Legal
    • "Democracy Victory" At VA
    • Challenging Connecticut's Bail Bond System. Is it Constitutional?
    • News Analysis: FOI Request Reveals How School Officials Came Across the "Douche Bag" Comment
  • Local Politics
    • Clergy and Gov's Office Weigh in on Hartford Violence
    • Hartford Rallies Against Violence
    • Hartford Mayor Writes Governor and Chief Justice
  • Media Matters
    • New Haven Independent Interviewed in New York Times Story
    • Tell Zell Unveils Courant Buyout List
    • Newspaper Reductions Prompt Class Action
  • News Links
    • State Government Home Page
  • State Capitol
    • Heating Assistance Bill Passes in Special Session
    • Lawmakers Still Working Out the Details
    • Special Session Starts with Pomp and Circumstance

Reps and Dems Reverse Roles to Debate Bill

by Christine Stuart | March 31, 2008 7:52 AM
Posted to Health Care | State Capitol

CTNJ file photo

As a bill making changes to Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s new Charter Oak Health plan was debated late Friday night by the Appropriations Committee, it almost sounded like the Republicans were advocating for universal health care and the Democrats opposed it because it lacked the proper fiscal analysis.

The role reversal may have confused many, who tuned into Connecticut Network, the state’s government and public affairs channel, shortly before 9 p.m. Friday.

Sen. Jonathan Harris, D-West Hartford, summarized the bill’s intent by first thanking Rell for her efforts in attempting to address the problem with the uninsured in the state, but his appreciation quickly turned into criticism as he talked about how the Department of Social Services has ignored the legislature’s request for information about the financial feasibility of the plan.

Harris has repeatedly asked for information about the plan’s “financial sustainability.” The bill proposes an actuarial study of the plan, which has been promoted as an affordable health insurance program with a $250 per month premium.

Democrats have said the benefit levels included in the plan for things such as the pharmacy benefits could make the plan unaffordable for the chronically-ill who need more than the $7,500 proposed annual benefit.

Republicans have said benefits such as mental health parity, which was also included in the bill being debated, will make the plan unaffordable.

Rep. Kevin DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck, said Friday “as laudable as they are they make this plan completely untenable.” DelGobbo argued the added scrutiny the Democrats want to give the plan will delay its July 1 implementation.

“I don’t think a short delay is untenable, if it makes sure the plan is sustainable,” Harris said. “We’re not saying we want to give everyone everything.”

Republicans have argued Democrats are trying to turn the governor’s proposal into a universal health care plan with a wide range of benefits that aren’t affordable. The Department of Social Services has said the plan was never meant to be the Rolls Royce of health care plans.

Harris has countered with “we want a Ford that works.”

Sen. David Cappiello, R-Danbury, said the fiscal note for the bill shows an independent actuarial analysis will cost $150,000. Cappiello said it would be cheaper if the legislature hired an actuary to study all of the insurance mandates legislators attempt to pass every year.

Harris said he’d be happy to work with Cappiello on that at a later date.

The bill ended up passing around 9:12 p.m. 35 to 17.

|