Bill > SB00835

This bill proposes several significant changes to Connecticut's healthcare system aimed at improving affordability, accessibility, and efficiency. The legislation would authorize association health plans, which allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to purchase health insurance potentially at lower rates. It establishes a working group to recommend comprehensive reforms to health care statutes, including developing a new mandate review process. The bill eliminates most certificate of need (CON) requirements for healthcare service expansions, maintaining only limited CON requirements for specific areas like radiology equipment, service reductions, and hospital ownership transfers. To increase transparency, the bill mandates public notices and hearings for CON applications and requires the Office of Health Strategy to make decisions within 120 days. Additionally, the legislation introduces checkpoints in the insurance rate approval process and calls for a study on insurance companies' ability to provide tiered insurance products, including plans based on federal essential health benefits standards. The bill also seeks to evaluate the potential for obtaining a federal waiver to offer alternative tiered and catastrophic insurance plans, ultimately aiming to create a more sustainable, patient-centered healthcare system that improves outcomes for all state residents.

Health and Social Services

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00835&which_year=2025