Sustinet board recommends public health insurance option for CT

01/07/11
Sustinet board members released their final proposal Friday that calls for sweeping changes to the state's health care system and ultimately establishes a public option open to all Connecticut residents.
The comprehensive plan, which encompasses more than 16 months of work and is outlined in a 200-page report, could potentially save the state more than $226 million to $277 million a year.
Most of the projected savings would come from federal money allocated under the health reform law and altering how health care in the state is delivered to reduce costs.
The plan includes establishing a new state insurance choice for municipalities that would gradually be expanded to private employers, small businesses, nonprofits and households.
The plan was developed by an 11-member SustiNet Health Partnership Board of Directors, which includes Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and state Comptroller Kevin Lembo.
"This report provides the General Assembly with a roadmap for reform - and propels Connecticut to the forefront in addressing a nationwide health care and financial crisis," Lembo said.
The Sustinet board was established by legislation passed by democratic lawmakers in 2009 in respons to the rising cost of health care. The group was charged with designing and implementing a self-insured plan to control costs and increase access to health care for individuals, small businesses, non-profits, those receiving state-assisted care and other groups.
Currently, the Connecticut state government spends about $8 billion annually on health care for state employees, retirees, Medicaid recipients and other populations.
Other recommendations in the report include:

  • Providing a more coordinated, patient-centered, evidence-based approach to health care;
  • Establishing a quasi-governmental agency to administer SustiNet, governed by a board of directors appointed by the governor and the legislature with staff and administrative support initially provided by the Office of the Comptroller;
  • SustiNet serving state employees and retirees along with Medicaid and HUSKY beneficiaries -- and eventually becoming a new health insurance choice for municipalities, private employers and households;
  • Expanding HUSKY to cover all adults with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level; and
  • Harnessing federal dollars to replace state spending on health coverage for low-income residents.