By Gregory B. Hladky
Hartford Courant
HARTFORD — Cities and towns could decide to enroll their employees in the state health insurance program under legislation that won final approval in the House.
The bill passed, 82-61 on a party line vote, with Democrats overriding Republican objections to the bill.
Democratic supporters of the plan argued that opening up the state health pool to voluntary municipal participation could save local taxpayers millions of dollars compared to what they are now paying for their employees’ health insurance.
State unions strongly supported the proposal. Republicans, however, questioned whether the projected savings for municipalities would actually be achieved, and warned that the plan could end up costing taxpayers a lot of money if lots of local workers with serious health problems were enrolled in the plan.
Another concern voiced by GOP lawmakers is that it might be difficult, if not impossible, for a city or town to withdraw from the state plan once it had joined.
The legislation to allow municipalities to join the state health pool was approved by the Senate last week despite solid Republican opposition. House approval now sends the bill to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for his signature.
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