HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today urged residents of the 17th state Senate District towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge to attend one or both public hearings next month on proposed health insurance rate increases as requested by Anthem, ConnectiCare and Aetna.
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| Joseph J. Crisco |
“I’ll be testifying against these proposed rate increases, and I encourage my constituents to do the same,” Crisco said today.
“I’ve already come out against the proposed mergers of Anthem and Cigna, and Aetna and Humana, and my opposition to these rate increases is based on the same philosophy: they are not good for Connecticut policyholders. The public must make its voices heard and send a message that these proposed insurance rate increases from Anthem, ConnectiCare, and Aetna have to be rejected and re-evaluated.”
Anthem is seeking an average 26.8 percent increase for the 56,700 people covered under individual plans in Connecticut, and is also seeking an average 14.3 percent increase for the 42,200 people it covers in its “small group” plan for employers with 50 or fewer employees.
ConnectiCare is seeking an average 14.3 percent rate increase on the 47,595 people it covers in Connecticut under individual plans.
According to published news reports, the proposed rate increases are higher than the 9.6 percent impact of medical cost inflation and increased demand for those services.
The state Insurance Department has the authority to reject or modify rates requests, based on its review of the filings.
The Insurance Department is holding three public hearings over the course of two days:
- Aug. 3, 9 a.m. – Anthem
- Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – ConnectiCare
- Aug. 4, 1 p.m. – Aetna
The hearings will be held at the Connecticut Insurance Department, 153 Market Street, Hartford, in the 7th Floor Hearing Room.
This is a press release from Crisco's office.
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