Partnership Statement On Proposed State Government-Controlled Health Insurance System

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut’s Health Care Future issued the following statement today following remarks by state Comptroller Kevin Lembo regarding a proposed new state government-controlled health insurance system, called the state government option:

“Every Connecticut resident deserves access to affordable, high-quality health coverage and care.  But, a state government-controlled health insurance system would put politicians in control of families’ care and could increase costs for Connecticut consumers and taxpayers.  A state government option could also put thousands of Connecticut jobs at risk at a time when our economy is struggling and many families are hurting.  During this critical time, it is important that lawmakers commit to building on and improving what’s working where private coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid work together – not start over with a new government-controlled health insurance system.”

An unproven one-size-fits-all government health insurance system would threaten consumers’ choice of coverage and care and could force Connecticut families to pay higher taxes, while threatening thousands of Connecticut jobs and harming the state’s economy. 

The unaffordable costs and negative consequences for consumers and patients help explain why there is no successful state government option anywhere in America.

Connecticut’s Health Care Future is a project of the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future Action.  To learn more, visit connecticutshealthcarefuture.org.