Republicans Urge Governor, Lawmakers to Pass Legislation to Reduce Health Care Costs, Oppose Democrats’ $50 Million Tax on Health Insurance

HARTFORD – Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) and House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) were joined by ranking members of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) and Representative Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-Bristol) at a press conference today urging lawmakers to take action in the final days of the legislative session to reduce health care costs and to oppose the Democrats’ proposed $50 million tax on health insurance.

“The number one issue that Connecticut families face is the unaffordability of their health insurance and health care costs,” said Senator Kelly. “Connecticut has become unaffordable on many issues but most notably on health insurance. Republicans put forward an initiative this year that would not only reduce [health insurance] premiums by 30%, but it would also get its arms around the high costs of health care, provide equity, and keep good paying middle-class jobs in Connecticut.”

Sen. Kelly remarked that Democrats failed to even hold a vote on the Republican plan at the committee level. Instead, the Majority only advanced bills proposed by Democrats.

“The bills that did get out of committee are for a government-run health care system that would kill Connecticut jobs and one proposed by the Governor that puts a $50 million tax on health insurance premiums in the name of lowering costs.”

Sen. Kelly urged immediate action in the final days of session.

“We have one week left. This issue has been long overdue. Democrats who have held majorities have promised to reduce health care costs, unfortunately for CT families that has not yet become a reality. We have a better way. We are now asking Democrats to join us in that better way to give hardworking families of Connecticut the relief they so rightfully deserve,” said Kelly.

Rep. Candelora said: “As we are moving forward with all the federal money coming in we’ve seen a lot of that money going toward subsidizing a lot of our existing plans. And while that may be a good stopgap for the next two years, we need to begin the long term planning of making health care more affordable. The public option sank like a lead balloon this session as it has every other session because it’s not an opportunity to make health care more affordable for the state of Connecticut. The residents, the industries and the legislature realize it’s a failure. We are asking to put the [Republican plan] back on the table that will go toward meaningful reform to reduce health care costs.”

Our plan will:

• Reduce health insurance premiums by up to 30%.
• Rein in out of control health care cost growth
• Reduce prescription drug costs
• Deliver on health equity
• Ensure transparency and accountability
• Protect thousands of good paying Connecticut jobs.

ADD YOUR VOICE! Tell the Governor and Democrats to Support Our Plan & Make Health Care More Affordable for All People