Hartford, Conn. – Carlos Moreno, Connecticut Working Families State Director, issued the following statement in reaction to the Insurance and Real State Committee debate and amendment vote on S.B. 842, the Public Option Bill.   

Carlos Moreno, State Director, CT Working Families:

“Connecticut families, right now, are struggling to cover their medical bills. The past year has been a stark reminder of how little families can rely on healthcare, on how unfair and discriminatory the system has become. Reform is urgently needed. Our state cannot wait.

It comes as no surprise that Republicans would side with big private insurers. However, we are deeply disappointed with Insurance Committee Co-Chair Kerry Wood and other Democrats who sided with Republicans to try to sabotage the public option bill, which would give thousands of small businesses a chance to offer healthcare to their employees and give more affordable healthcare options to workers across the state. The surprise oral amendment raised today by Representative Wood would essentially raise premiums for consumers. That this comes at a time when thousands of working and middle class families have lost their jobs and healthcare amid a global pandemic is appalling.

We urge House and Senate Leadership to remain committed to working together to restore the bill’s intent to expand coverage and make healthcare more dependable, accessible, and affordable to everyone in our state.”