Sen. Kelly, Insurance Committee Leaders Advance Bipartisan Conversation on Reducing Health Care Costs

On Thursday, Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) held a bipartisan forum on reducing the costs of health care. Joined by Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford), Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) and Representative Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-Bristol), Sen. Kelly hosted the informational forum with advocates, stakeholders and experts to explore three proposals to lower the costs of health care in Connecticut: a state-funded reinsurance program, health care cost growth benchmarking similar to what has been implemented in Massachusetts, and prescription drug importation.

“I want to thank all the panelists, advocates and experts who came together for this conversation,” said Sen. Kelly. “One of the most pressing issues facing Connecticut residents is the cost of health care. The current system is not working and we must take action to help people. Making health care affordable and accessible remains one of my top priorities and I’m glad this is a bipartisan effort here in CT.”

The forum included representatives from Access Health CT, the CT Insurance Department, ConnectiCare, Anthem, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, the Office of Health Strategy, the Connecticut Health Policy Project, the Connecticut Health Foundation, the CT Hospital Association, AARP, the CT State Medical Society, the Department of Consumer Protection and the Partnership for Safe Medicines.