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 Learn about the laws and what you can do to help.

The Health Insurance Exchange Law

The law known as the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange puts a sensible state spin on the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Starting in 2014, the federal health care reform law will require all Americans to have health coverage.  Meanwhile, states must establish Health Insurance Exchanges that offer individuals and small businesses a consumer-friendly way to shop for quality health plans. Connecticut’s law, Public Act 11-53, establishes an 11-member board that sets the rules for the health plans offered in the Exchange.

The state’s Exchange must offer a sufficient range of health plan choices; assure that only good quality health plans are offered; ensure that consumer and small business interests are a prime focus on the Exchange Board; and protect against conflicts of interest of Exchange Board members, such as health insurers and other narrow interests.

Put Consumers and Small Business First

 Three of Connecticut’s Health Insurance Exchange Board members have strong ties to the insurance and health care industries. Yet, there is only one small business representative and no consumer appointed to the Board.   Tell the governor, your state representative and senator Connecticut’s Exchange Board needs a makeover.   Consumer and small business interests, not insurance companies, must be protected.  Feel free to use our talking points and be sure to ask for a reply, and share their responses with us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The SustiNet Healthcare Cabinet

Connecticut’s Health Care Reform law, Public Act 11-58, coordinates the state’s health care functions and makes federal health care reform work for Connecticut.  It creates new health plan choices, especially for individuals and small businesses left behind by the current system, as well as promotes quality reforms to improve care, control costs and empower consumers.

Three new bodies to meet the new law’s goals:

• Office of Health Reform and Innovation (OHRI) serves as a clearinghouse to coordinate state and federal health programs and reforms; and leverages new and existing resources to achieve better health care for state residents.
• SustiNet Healthcare Cabinet  works with the OHRI and the state’s new Health Insurance Exchange to promote reforms that improve care and control costs; and will produce a “business plan” by October 2012 to advise the state on how to offer an alternative or nonprofit health plan option to state residents.
• Consumer Advisory Board is a seven-member, volunteer board to monitor the state’s health reform work and guarantee a strong consumer voice in the process.

Push for a Nonprofit Health Option

Small businesses and individuals need quality, affordable alternatives to private health insurance plans.  Tell the governor, your state representative and senator that they need to support the SustiNet Healthcare Cabinet’s work to produce a sound “business plan” for a nonprofit health plan. Tell them the appointments to the Consumer Advisory Board need to be strong voices for consumers.  Be sure to ask for a reply, and share their responses with us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Learn more about the news laws, the Health Insurance Exchange and the SustiNet Cabinet. Track their work, and stay up-to-date on their progress here.