The bill holds that cities, nonprofit groups and small employers with fewer than 50 employees would join the state program, becoming part of a much bigger purchasing entity and therefore paying lower rates than they would if buying coverage on their own.
However, some state officials are concerned that expansion of the program would increase costs for the state due to likely insurance rate hikes based on the larger group of insureds.
According to State Budget Director Robert Genuario, “These additional costs to the state are not budgeted anywhere, and additional resources would have to be budgeted if the bill passes.”
The legislation now moves on to the Connecticut Senate for voting.