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 Thank
you!
Because of everyone’s hard work, the fight for quality,
affordable health care took a huge leap forward in Connecticut.
Your voices and messages overcame the crushing news and overwhelming
noise of the budget crisis. There's more work ahead, for sure, but
we should all be proud of the progress we made this legislative
session.
With two days left in its session, the state Senate on June 6
approved the SustiNet health care reform bill in a 22 to 14 vote.
The legislation,
House Bill 6308, An Act Concerning Healthcare Reform, previously
passed the House in an 88 to 48 vote. It now moves to Gov.
Malloy’s office for his signature. Since his staff had worked
on the bill’s final language -- in response to persistent pressure
by consumer advocates, individuals from all walks of life, faith and
labor communities and health providers, including doctors – the
governor is expected to sign the legislation.
Prematurely declared dead just a few weeks ago by some in the
media, the legislation contains "pooling provisions" and core
elements of the
SustiNet proposal developed by the 11-member SustiNet Board of
Directors, which drafted the plan with the active support of over
200 residents working on eight committees.
Universal Health Care Foundation president Juan A. Figueroa said,
“Thanks to today’s vote, our state will take proactive steps to
contain health care costs and explore alternatives to the current
for-profit health care market including a public option." In
an earlier story that appeared in the CT Mirror after House passage
of the bill, he said, "This bill has concrete steps toward charting
a clear course for a home-grown, affordable nonprofit health care
option for individuals and small businesses."
We will be getting more details out soon, but here are five key
SustiNet-related features in the newly passed legislation:
1. A new SustiNet Health Care Cabinet is established in the
Lt. Governor’s office to serve as a coordinating point for
integrating state and federal health, as well as to promote
initiatives to improve health and spend the state’s health care
dollars more wisely.
2. The bill establishes the Office of Health Reform and
Innovation in the Lt. Governor’s office. The office will
provide support to the Cabinet and function as the state’s central
coordinator of health policy.
3. The bill directs the SustiNet Healthcare Cabinet to produce a
business plan for a nonprofit, public health insurance option.
The business plan must be completed by October 2012.
4. The bill directs the SustiNet Healthcare Cabinet to assess the
feasibility of the state offering the Basic Health Program beginning
in 2014.
5. The bill opens the state employee pool to municipalities
beginning in 2012 and qualified nonprofits in 2013.
The
Christian Activities Council has worked diligently towards universal
healthcare. This is a victory for this organization, our partners,
supporters, community we serve and the State of Connecticut!
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