NEW HEALTH CARE CHOICES
for Small Businesses, Nonprofits
Small Businesses |
For Connecticut small businesses with 50 employees or fewer. |
Nonprofits |
For Connecticut nonprofits of any size. |
Union Taft-Hartley Plans |
For labor unions providing Taft-Hartley health care plans. |
Individuals |
For individuals currently without insurance coverage. |
The Connecticut Plan is a bill (Senate Bill #346) before the state legislature that would create new health plans for small businesses, nonprofits and individuals featuring networks of quality doctors and providers at affordable, predictable costs.
Connecticut small businesses employ over 700,000 people – and less than half of them offer health insurance. The Connecticut Plan aims to leverage the purchasing power of the state employee health plan (the largest purchaser in the state) to offer new plan options at an affordable and predictable cost.
The available plans will range from a quality-first network featuring doctors, specialists, providers and facilities that have a proven record of top quality care at affordable prices to the full-scale state employee plan. Small businesses can choose the plan that most aligns with their budget and benefit needs.
Connecticut nonprofits are being asked to do more and more for the people of our state, yet rising health care costs jeopardize operations and make budgeting unpredictable. Options in the small group market are mostly high deductible health plans –so even those with insurance are often afraid to seek care because they can’t afford it.
The Connecticut Plan will leverage the buying power of the state employee health plan to create new options for nonprofits of any size. The available plans will range from a quality-first network featuring doctors, specialists, providers and facilities that have a proven record of top quality care at affordable prices to the full-scale state employee plan. Nonprofits can choose the plan that most aligns with their budget and benefit needs.
The Connecticut Plan will leverage the buying power of the state employee health plan to create new options for labor unions of any size with Taft-Hartley plans. The designed plans will range from a quality-first network featuring doctors, specialists, providers and facilities that have a proven record of top quality care at affordable prices to the full-scale state employee plan. Unions can choose the plan that most aligns with their collectively bargained benefits.
The Connecticut Plan will leverage the buying power of the state employee health plan to create new options for individuals in need of coverage. The designed plans will be fully insured, uniquely designed and administered by a contracted carrier. Options will range from a quality-first network featuring doctors, specialists, providers and facilities that have a proven record of top quality care at affordable prices to the full-scale state employee plan.
``The free market does not provide options for everyone. I think everyone should have health care. It’s like the police or the fire departments or having bridges and tunnels or an army – things that we can’t get along without.``
``Small businesses, nonprofits and individuals in Connecticut need and want the positive impact of more affordable coverage than they have now.``
``My premiums now currently cost $22,000. It’s not working. Our costs are going up and our coverage is declining. I don’t feel very secure about our health care situation.``
This health care reform legislation is a comprehensive approach that expands access to quality, affordable health care, lowers health care costs and brings price stability for Connecticut individuals, families, small businesses and nonprofits. The Connecticut Plan is a unique approach that will give people more coverage options to choose from, and will address the skyrocketing health care costs that impact everyone in the state.
Creating New Health Insurance Options
“The Connecticut Plan” will provide value-based health care plans to businesses, nonprofits and unions with Taft-Hartley plans. The plan designs will put an emphasis on preventative care and wellness, encouraging patients to utilize high-quality, lower-cost providers unlike the high deductible plans currently flooding the small group and individual markets.
Groups interested in the plans will be able to choose from a range of network and benefit designs.
These plans will be offered at competitive prices by leveraging the negotiating and contracting power of the state employee plan. The Comptroller’s office, and its staff of professionals with decades of experience, has kept rate increases far below those experienced in the private sector in recent years. Without the motives of profits, and without high-paid executives to compensate, a much greater percentage of your premiums dollars can be spent on actual health care.
Find your legislators and get in touch to tell them why you support The Connecticut Plan and ask them to support Senate Bill #346. Hearing from constituents is critical to gaining enough support to pass the bill.
Tell your personal story or use the script below.
Hello Representative/Senator __________,
My name is [YOUR NAME] and I strongly support expanding affordable quality health care choices for small businesses, nonprofits and all workers and families.
[IF YOU HAVE A PERSONAL STORY ABOUT HOW UNAFFORDABLE/LIMITED HEALTH CARE CHOICES HURT YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR BUSINESS OR NONPROFIT, BRIEFLY STATE IT HERE].
This plan would provide the engines of our state economy – workers, families, small businesses and nonprofits – access to the same highest quality and highest value health care that you as a legislator now enjoy, and a more stable risk pool that will ensure my [business/nonprofit/family] is not jeopardized if an employee or family member falls ill.
Please consider the importance of Senate Bill 346 to establish The Connecticut Plan. This is about living up to your promises to serve all of Connecticut’s workers, families, small businesses and nonprofit employers.
Thank you!
Film a video (30 seconds or less) explaining how you’ve been impacted by high health care costs or low-quality coverage. Post the video to social media using the hashtag #CTPlan or contact us.
Post on any social media platform with the hashtag #CTPlan and tell your friends and followers why we need to pass this bill and what it would mean for you.
Draft a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and explain why you think The Connecticut Plan should become law. Encourage your neighbors to take action with you. Need help getting started? Contact us! Or use the template below.
I am writing to express my support for Senate Bill 346 to establish The Connecticut Plan that is currently before the legislature.
[INSERT TWO OR THREE SENTENCES TO PERSONALIZE: Tell the publication about yourself! Why is affordable health care important to you? Are you a small business owner, at a nonprofit, or enrolled in a Taft-Hartley Plan – how much is your current group plan – do you forgo insurance for your business? Do you currently buy insurance on the exchange? Are your current options unaffordable? Have they impacted you, your family or your employees? If you’re an employer, do they affect your ability to recruit and retain workers? Are you currently enrolled in a small group or Taft-Harley plan that you are struggling to afford? ]
The Connecticut Plan will create affordable new health plan choices for small businesses, nonprofits, Taft-Hartley plans and all individuals. With several plan design options, I will have the chance to select a plan for [me, my employees, and our families] that meet [our/my] needs for affordability and quality coverage.
This plan would provide the engines of our state economy – workers, families, small businesses and nonprofits – access to the same highest quality and highest value health care that is enjoyed by the legislators who will determine the fate of this bill and a more stable risk pool that will ensure my [business/nonprofit/I] is not jeopardized if an employee or family member falls ill. With these added benefits, I can feel secure and excited about offering a health plan through my [business/nonprofit].
Expanding and introducing new health care choices that are more affordable and higher quality will encourage overall statewide job growth, including at small businesses and nonprofits, paving the way for Connecticut to become a leader in both economic growth and health care innovation. I thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing about your support of SB 346.
Sincerely,
[Your Name and Town]
Want to get involved but aren’t sure what you can do? Contact us and let’s figure it out together.