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December 2006 — Vol. 84, No. 10
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Health care issues to get attention
at legislature in 2007
By John R. Rathgeber
CBIA President and CEO
There will be a lot of discussion about how to expand health insurance coverage in the 2007 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. The governor and the legislative leaders are likely to put forward proposals to reduce the number of uninsured individuals in our state.
But it would be a mistake to look at the problem as merely an insurance issue.
A more comprehensive approach will be needed to make health insurance more accessible and affordable for Connecticut citizens and employers. That approach should include:
- Promoting healthier lifestyles;
- Improving disease management;
- Eliminating costs that do not significantly contribute to improved medical outcomes;
- Reducing cost shifts from Medicaid to private-sector payers; and
- Engaging the individual in the management of his or her own health care.
In our recent membership survey, 53% of the business executives responding said the cost of providing medical coverage to their employees was the single biggest cost challenge they face, and 76% said it affects their hiring decisions. Nevertheless, 98% of them provide insurance coverage to their employees. Connecticut employers continue to be national leaders in this regard.
Our cover story in this month’s CBIA News talks about how we as employers can become part of the solution without waiting for the legislature to act. By promoting healthier lifestyles and helping our employees be more physically active, quit smoking and lose weight, we can begin to control our costs and enjoy the benefits of a more productive workforce.
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