Kelly: “We must do better on health care for all Connecticut families.”

Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), responding to Governor Lamont’s press conference announcing the “Covered Connecticut” program, calls for further action to reduce health care costs for all people and increase access to quality care.

“People want more affordable health care and better quality. They like their doctors, they like the protections of the Affordable Care Act, but they don’t like the price. They want to see us fix the current system to work for all people, not just a select few. Republicans want to do exactly that. We want to fix the problems, and fulfill the promises the Democrats made in the Affordable Care Act but never fulfilled. While Covered Connecticut is one step forward for some, it is not nearly as transformative as the reforms we need to help all people. Covered Connecticut does not reduce the growth of health care cost drivers and it does not reduce insurance premiums for all people. We cannot ignore that a vast majority of Connecticut families will still be struggling to afford health care even after this policy takes effect.

“Connecticut Republicans have a better way to deliver high quality care at lower costs and make our state more affordable for all people. Our plan reduces health insurance premiums by up to 30%; reins in out of control health care cost growth using a benchmarking program the same way Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has, saving Bay State residents billions of dollars; and reduces prescription drug costs using a concept which is now also being pushed by President Biden. We must do more to make health care affordable for all families.”