CT SB00201

Establishes a health benefit review program within the Insurance Department, funded by the Insurance Fund, to evaluate mandated health benefits requested by the joint standing committee on insurance.

Changes the commissioner's authority from "shall" to "may" contract with the University of Connecticut Center for Public Health and Health Policy or an actuarial accounting firm to conduct reviews.

Limits reviews to one request per regular legislative session covering no more than five mandated health benefits, replacing the previous annual review requirement.

Requires the commissioner to submit review reports by January 1 of the following calendar year, with evaluation of quality and cost impacts, to both the insurance and public health committees.

Mandates joint informational hearings between insurance and public health committees after receiving review reports, and prohibits the General Assembly from enacting new mandated health benefits after January 1, 2019 unless the benefit has undergone review and hearing or receives a two-thirds vote from the insurance committee.