As the insurance capital of the world, Connecticut should pave the way for
other states. I believe in an improved market based health care system
similar to the one proposed by Connecticut's own Connecticut Business &
Industry Association (CBIA) to lower our premiums and eliminate
balanced billing.
As a breast cancer survivor I was amazed at the thousand of dollars I had
to pay out-of-pocket even though I had the best insurance money could
buy. We face an erosion of benefits coverage. Insured patients are also
charged for "balance billing" which is the costs to the hospital to pay for
the unisured who just walk into an emergency room. It's not fair and must
end.
Some ideas for a state plan here in Connecticut:
Raise the age that young people may be insured on their parents' plan.
Currently anyone over 19-years-old who is not in college full-time cannot
be covered. By raising this age to 26 you bring more people into the pool
lowering everyone’s costs and decreasing balance billing.
There are over 250 private health insurance plans now available to
members of Congress. Extend this plan to residents of Connecticut.
Choice and transparency!
Remove restrictions to buy plans in other states. Some argue this weakens
the pool; others say it raises competition and is good. It can be investigated
Do not exclude people who are sick, or have pre-existing conditions. Let’s
eliminate that policy. It’s just not right.
Statewide negotiations for drug prices from pharmaceutical companies will
lower the price by buying in bulk.
Many Americans depend on their employers. Have the ability to take your
insurance with you.
