(It's really easy governor...just pick up the pen and sign the bill. - promoted by ctblogger)
(a cross-post from the HCFA Blog)
HB 5536 An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership was delivered to Governor Rell's desk yesterday by Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz following a spirited rally in front of the Capitol.
A brief re-cap on the importance of HB 5536:
As it stands, there is not a lot of competition in the health care marketplace: non-profits, small businesses, and municipalities do not have bargaining power on their own to negotiate lower rates, and no one entity among them represents a large enough group for insurers to vie for their business. These small unaffiliated groups are forced to pay higher rates than they would as members of a larger pool. By signing HB 5536, Governor Rell will increase competition in the health care marketplace because all of the state's major insurers will be able to bargain for the contract to cover what seems to me would be the second largest insurance pool in Connecticut. |
| At yesterday's rally, future Speaker of the House Chris Donovan started off by leading a chant of "Good Plan, Costs Less," which of course Governor Rell would have a hard time hearing considering that she's down in Kentucky at the Council of State Governments. So Donovan instructed the assembled crowd of 100 or so to face the Bluegrass State and raise their voices.
Nevertheless, Governor Rell has 15 days to act on the bill and supporters from non-profits, small businesses, municipalities, and unions all spoke favorably of HB 5536, encouraging Governor Rell to live up to her ideal of helping small businesses during these economic hard times.
Such was her logic in vetoing the minimum wage raise anyhow. Senator Looney pointed out at the rally yesterday that if Governor Rell were to apply same logic to her course of action on HB 5536, she would undoubtedly sign it. If she vetoed raising the minimum wage to keep expenses down for Connecticut businesses, it is only reasonable that she will sign HB 5536 so that businesses can take advantage of health care cost savings.
Of course, there are those who claim that there will not be savings, like Anthem, which is using scare tactics to encourage Governor Rell to veto HB 5536 by promising to raise rates by 4% (roughly 24 million bucks) on July 1st. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal again dismissed this argument against HB 5536 yesterday as bogus and baloney.
Fortunately, employees covered in the state pool have a choice. Chris Donovan had chosen to give his business to Anthem, but in light of their bullying he announced yesterday that he is looking to switch his coverage to another provider covering the state employee pool.
HB 5536 will lower costs and provide choice to employees covered by the pool. If you have not yet, please heed Tessa's call to action and encourage Governor Rell to sign HB 5536:
Ask Governor Rell to sign HB 5536, CT Healthcare Partnership (Pretty Please)
Call the Governor's Office - (860) 566-4840 or (800) 406-1527
Tell them
- Your name and address - This will prove that you are a legitimate and legal resident of the State of Connecticut
- You support HB 5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership - So they know what to write on the "While You Were Out" pad, and
- You want her to sign this bill into law.
Be polite. Be thorough. Tell your friends to do the same.
Healthcare4Every1 is recording responses from the Governor's office to your calls. Be sure to let them know what you heard.
Other Media reports on yesterday's event:
Disclosure: I am the Online Organizer for Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) |
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