ICYMI: State Public Option Presents ‘Significant Taxpayer Risks’

HARTFORD, Conn. – In a recent discussion with host Gary Byron and Steve Glick, Chief Administrator at Chamber Insurance Trust, on WDRC Talk of Connecticut, J.P. Wieske, Executive Director of the Health Benefits Institute, explained that the proposed state government option in Connecticut presents “significant taxpayer risks,” and would bring negative consequences for “affordability, and [prevent] consumers from being able to find other coverage down the road.”

The proposed new state government-controlled health insurance system would “destroy the private market,” eliminating affordable coverage options for Connecticut residents while “cost[ing] you more from taxes,” Wieske warns. “Long term, it is not fiscally prudent. It can’t work for a community like Hartford.”

A new poll conducted by Locust Street Group on behalf of Connecticut’s Health Care Future finds that a majority of Connecticut voters do not support the proposed state government option and are satisfied with their current health coverage and care. The poll of 800 likely voters in Connecticut reveals that a majority want lawmakers to build on and improve the current health care system rather than start over with a new government-controlled health insurance system such as the state government option.

The poll’s key findings include:

  • A majority of Connecticut voters do NOT support the state government option (only 36 percent support).
  • 80 percent of voters prefer for lawmakers to BUILD ON Connecticut’s health care system rather than create a new state government option.
  • Voters are especially CONCERNED about the impacts of the state government option on access to quality care (77 percent), jobs/economic growth (74 percent), and costs (72 percent).
  • 82 percent of voters are UNWILLING to pay more in health care costs and 78 percent are UNWILLING to pay more in taxes to finance the cost of the state option.

In fact, the poll shows that during this critical time Connecticut voters want state lawmakers to focus on jobs and the economy: 60 percent of voters ranked the economy and jobs as one of their two most important issues for the state government to address, while 48 percent ranked taxes as one of their top two most important issues. Only 30 percent of voters believe health care is among the two most important issues for state lawmakers to address.

  • To listen to the full discussion on WDRC, CLICK HERE.
  • To learn more about Connecticut’s Health Care Future, CLICK HERE.