SB 134 Summary

• Establishes the ConnectHealth Program effective July 1, 2019, requiring the Comptroller to create and offer a public health insurance plan available to Connecticut residents beginning January 1, 2021.

• ConnectHealth Plan must provide essential health benefits, coverage meeting or exceeding qualified health plans, and premiums/deductibles not exceeding private plans, with affordability scales based on household income.

• Creates a ConnectHealth Advisory Council with ten appointed members representing hospitals, community health providers, consumers, nurses, patients, physicians, and insurers to advise on plan implementation and evaluation.

• Establishes the ConnectHealth Trust Account (nonlapsing fund) to provide state-financed cost-sharing subsidies for enrollees ineligible for federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

• Allows the Comptroller to offer coverage under the state employee plan to small employers and nonstate public employers (municipalities, school boards) through a competitive bidding process for third-party administrators.