'CT Option' Health Insurance Dead: Report

HARTFORD, CT — It appears the "Connecticut Option" for health insurance is dead for now just a week after a press conference with some of the state's top officials.

State Comptroller Kevin Lembo said that health insurer Cigna Corp. threatened to leave the state if the measure passed, according to the Hartford Courant.

However, Cigna officials denied the allegation.

"We never said that we would leave the state, nor did we insinuate anything like that," said Brian Henry, Cigna spokesman.

"The only option this proposal gives to the public is to pay more to get less from the health care system. This option does not work for the public, for the state, or for the private sector," Henry said. "This is yet another option no one in Connecticut can afford, and in fact threatens the long term viability and vitality of the state. Bottom line: The proposal as designed is ill-conceived and simply will not work."

The "Connecticut Option" promised savings of 20 percent off premiums and would have instituted an individual mandate for health insurance similar to what was previously part of the Affordable Care Act. The plan called for offering insurance through insurance companies through their own provider networks or a new one developed by the state. Subsidies would be offered for low and middle-income residents.

The bill also called for Connecticut to join several other states in asking the federal government to allow bulk purchasing of drugs from Canada to save on costs.

Legislative Republicans criticized the plan and said they got the details of the bill through lobbyists.

Gov. Ned Lamont gave the following statement:

“Everyone, including carriers like Cigna, agree that more needs to be done to lower the cost and improve the quality of healthcare for Connecticut consumers. I know this challenge personally as a small business owner, that finding affordable care for employees can feel burdensome. I have been leading the conversations with all stakeholders, including the carriers, to forge a Connecticut Option, which unlike a public option would leverage the significant experience that Connecticut’s healthcare sector brings to the table and create a market-based solution that encourages private carriers to sell better quality plans at a lower cost. I remain committed to the Connecticut Option but understand that for legislation of this magnitude to be successful, the proposal must leverage the best thinking from all stakeholders, including the carriers. Cigna is a vital piece of Connecticut’s fabric, and I am committed to working collaboratively and constructively with carriers, stakeholders, and advocates, and I encourage other elected officials to respectfully do the same.”