Connecticut Governor Vetoes Bill Expanding The State’s Health Insurance Pool

Connecticut Governor Vetoes Bill Expanding The State’s Health Insurance Pool in Politics and Legislation

In April, the Connecticut state Legislature passed a bill that would have opened up the state’s health insurance pool to more people.

The pool currently provides coverage for an estimated 200,000 state employees and their families.

If made into law, the measure would have let small businesses, non-profit organizations, and state municipal workers purchase coverage in the health insurance pool.

But Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell struck down the bill, using her veto pen last week.

Despite numerous efforts by state Democrats to persuade the governor to sign the bill, Governor Rell decided to send lawmakers “back to the drawing board,” reported the New Haven Register.

She was mostly concerned about costs.

Governor Rell indicated that she was in support of the pool’s expansion, but she was wary of the current legislation.

“I would very much like to explore the pooling idea further and make sure all of the costs and risks are understood and anticipated in the budget next session,” said Governor Rell.

Proponents of the bill said Governor Rell vetoed the bill because of pressure from special interest groups such as the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

But the governor said she wanted to look more into the matter, calling for an independent third party to analyze the state’s situation — and figure out the best way to expand the pool.

Comments[0]