Release Date: 2008-06-17
Original Link: http://presszoom.com/story_145209.html
Source: ct.gov
"This veto will be a lasting legacy -- an unnecessary, unfair setback to public health. This tragic missed opportunity blocks good insurance for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut citizens. At no cost to taxpayers, insurance coverage for vital health care would be accessible -- but for this veto -- to thousands through small businesses, municipalities and non-profits.
(PressZoom.com) - "This veto will be a lasting legacy -- an unnecessary, unfair setback to public health. This tragic missed opportunity blocks good insurance for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut citizens. At no cost to taxpayers, insurance coverage for vital health care would be accessible -- but for this veto -- to thousands through small businesses, municipalities and non-profits.
"We sought to create a unified pool of insureds -- citizens who work for our municipalities, small businesses and non-profits -- who cannot afford to obtain and administer health plans on their own. This unified group, which could have ultimately been pooled with state employees, would have had significant leverage, with its strength in numbers, to bargain lower health insurance rates and enable thousands of Connecticut citizens access to affordable health care.
"Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut citizens remain uninsured and even more underinsured.
"While I regret that the governor failed to embrace this opportunity to increase access to the quality health insurance that state employees enjoy, I will continue to aggressively advocate this measure."