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Universal, single payer health care is the ultimate goal. I know what it means to have to consider healthcare coverage when thinking about changing jobs or going out on your own. We need to allow towns, small businesses, and self employed workers to buy into a State Government program as a first step to reduce costs, and make sure that all eligible children are covered.
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Governor Rell's Health Care Veto Should Be OverridenInnovative Bill Would Help Municipalities and Small Business Contain Costs WESTPORT, CT, June 13, 2008 -
Governor Rell has vetoed an innovative bill that made affordable health insurance available to employees of municipalities, small businesses, and non-profits. Now it's up to the legislature to override it.
The bill would use the state's negotiating power to help bring down rising health care costs that result in higher property taxes, higher prices for everything we buy, and cutbacks in services from charities and other non-government organizations. It would not be a government-funded, Medicare-like bureaucracy, but rather a large, pooled-risk private program which is the kind of solution Americans want.
Twenty four other states already allow their municipalities or school districts to buy into a state employee health care program, a proven path to saving tax dollars. Connecticut's plan would also include two other sectors facing sharply higher costs -- small businesses and non-profits -- putting our state in a leadership position on this critical issue. Fairfield County has thousands of sole proprietors and self employed who need access to affordable insurance for themselves and their families, and this bill could save them significant money each year.
The health of our citizens and our economy requires that Governor Rell's veto be overturned. |
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