ICYMI: State Public Option Will Cause More Harm Than Good

HARTFORD, Conn. – In a new op-ed in the Hartford Courant, David Griggs, president and CEO of MetroHartford Alliance, expresses his opposition to Senate Bill 842, which would create a state government-controlled health insurance system in Connecticut.

“While our health care system is not perfect, a state government option can cause more harm than good — including harm to affordable access to care, our economy, and our residents’ health,” Griggs writes.

Griggs continues: “Rather than a one-size-fits-all plan designed by the state government, policymakers should leverage the insurance sector’s industry-leading expertise located right here in Hartford to craft meaningful solutions that enhance, not threaten, our state’s health insurance system and the thousands of family-sustaining jobs associated with the industry.”

Meanwhile, a recent 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 state 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 read the full op-ed, CLICK HERE.
  • To learn more about Connecticut’s Health Care Future, CLICK HERE.