Seeking options for health care

SALISBURY — A group supporting the creation of a universal health-care plan for Connecticut gave a presentation at Town Hall Wednesday, April 22.

Keri Hoehne and Paul Mahler from the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut played a promotional video and took questions.

The SustiNet program, currently in the legislature as HB 6600, is described as making a fundamental change in the way health insurance is currently provided for most people. Under SustiNet, insurance will no longer be tied to employment, said Hoehne.

SustiNet would start by putting all state employees and persons with HUSKY or SAGA insurance in an initial pool. Three other groups may then enter the pool: people without access to employer-sponsored insurance; people with employer-offered insurance that is inadequate; employers, beginning with small businesses but ultimately including any employer in the state.

Hoehne said the initial price tag for the program is $950 million. Asked how the state could afford such a plan, she replied that every dollar spent will generate $2.60 — in savings over the current system and in federal funding triggered by a certain level of state spending. She added that most of the $950 million would go to increased reimbursement for physicians.

In the SustiNet plan, each insured person would have a “medical home,� a primary care physician and associated hospitals, labs and specialists. The emphasis, she said, will be on preventive care — to eliminate the emergency room visits for routine matters that sometimes arise when one’s doctor is unavailable.

HB 6600 was sent to the House last week. Hoehne said she thought it likely the bill would be vetoed by Gov. Rell.

State Rep. Roberta Willis (D-64) said the “intent of the program is to save the state money� as well as individuals and families.

“But nobody knows at this point what the savings would be.

“But it could save the state over a billion. I don’t think that point is very clear to people.�

Willis said that HB 6582, a more modest bill that establishes the “Connecticut Healthcare Partnership, which would allow municipalities and small businesses to join the state health insurance pool,� has a good chance of passing.