CT HB05385

Establishes a working group to study health insurance premium rate increases in Connecticut and develop recommendations to reduce them, effective upon passage.

Working group shall examine responses to changes in the Affordable Care Act, competition among health carriers, development of affordable policies, reduction of state-mandated health benefits, and drivers of insurance and prescription drug costs.

Working group composition includes insurance committee chairs and ranking members, legislative appointees from House and Senate leadership, the Insurance Commissioner, representatives from health plans, pharmaceutical manufacturers, business groups, and two individuals appointed by the Healthcare Advocate (one with individual coverage, one with group coverage).

All appointments must be made within 30 days of enactment, with the first meeting scheduled within 60 days and chaired by members selected by the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore.

Working group must submit final report with recommendations to the insurance committee by January 1, 2019, and shall dissolve upon submission of the report or January 1, 2019, whichever occurs later.