Press release today from state House contender Chris Wright, a 77th District Democrat:
CHRIS WRIGHT BACKS CONNECTICUT HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS AND INCREASES BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES
Chris Wright, the Democratic candidate for state representative in Bristol’s 77th Assembly District, says he will support legislation to open the state employee health care plan to municipal employees, small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Called, “The Connecticut Health Care Partnership,” the proposal was passed by Majority Democrats this year, but was vetoed by the Governor.
The fight for the legislation is expected to be renewed when the General Assembly convenes in January.
“The veto was unfortunate,” Wright said. “This is a plan that not only has the potential of reducing health care costs for municipalities and taxpayers, but it would enable small businesses and non-profits to participate in the program and provide affordable health care for their workers.”
Under this program participation will be voluntary, participants will be able to take advantage of the increased bargaining power and reduced administrative costs associated with the State plan and employees will receive the comprehensive benefit coverage that state employees currently receive.
“We hear a lot of talk about wanting to help small businesses cope with their health care costs and this plan will provide businesses with access to a comprehensive benefit package,” Wright said. “I have talked with small business people and they are certainly interested in looking at the plan to see if it fits their needs. The goal should be to pass it next year and get the Governor’s signature.”
Starting last November, House Majority Leader Chris Donovan traveled across the state talking to and receiving positive reactions to the plan from municipal leaders, small businesses, doctors, workers and elected officials.
Examples of projected savings for towns included $2.8 million for Danbury, $1.9 million for Meriden, $1.1 million for East Hartford and $157,118 for a small town like Sprague.
“These are real savings which translates to property tax relief,” Wright said. “Each town will have to examine the plan and see for themselves how much money they will save and then act accordingly.”
“By opening up the state plan and pooling resources, we will be able to provide Connecticut businesses and their workers with comprehensive health care and that means affordable health care for many Bristol workers who deserve affordable health care,” Wright said. “I look forward to fighting for and voting for this plan.”
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
34 comments:
It's common practice for Doctors in private practice NOT to offer any health care benefits (except for perhaps from their own office) to their staff. How hypocritical.
If this passes we must wonder when all residents will claim their right to state employee heath insurance. Of course this will be completely funded by tax payers.
“The veto was unfortunate,” Wright said.
--Unfortunately Chris, the veto-proof majority of Democrats don't agree with you, otherwise the veto would have been over-ridden.
Since the Democrats have a veto-proof majority, isn't it a misconception to insinuate (as Wright does) that all the Democrats supported this?
This also proves that not only does Chris Wrigh lack basic common sense, he is to the far left of the Democrat Party.
Grow up hatemongers!I really didn't expect a reasonable comment from a faceless coward! Boo Hoo !
You jerks sure like Wright's name. You don't have one. Eat your hearts out.You are nothing but useless naysayers. Nobody cares what you have to say except you.
Hmmm I don't see any difference between T.J.s new Republicans and Mockery's . Must have the same useless losing policy !
Wrights a Donkey - the State is in a 300 Million deficit, and he wants everyone to join the states health care plan! Who does he think is going to pay the cost for these people? Oh yea, I know! Raise taxes to off set the cost, and keep raising taxes thru the years until we in the same situation we are in now. Wright is wrong and should start talking to all the other DEMS and understand the facts before he opens his mouth.
September 23, 2008 5:46 AM aka 5:48AM aka 5:48 AM:
It's unfortunate that you can't engage in a debate without acting like a child.
Another way to raise our taxes. Did it ever occur to Mr. Wright that he may be Mr. Wrong on this? He can't get his peers to override the veto, so he should go back to the drawing board and either drop it or come up with something more palatable. My vote would be to drop it.
And where does Jill stand on all of this??
The reason why the veto could not be overridden last year has nothing to do with disagreement within the democractic caucus.
Questions have been raised about cost effectiveness because insurance companies like Anthem threatented to dramatically increase rates should the measure become law.
On this issue Wright IS Right! The largest and most concerning cost to small business is health care. Small companies should not be in the business of providing health insurance. This bill would have taken a huge cost off their shoulders and allowed CT to offer a great incentive for economic development.
Instead, big insurance companies would rather not see small businesses, and non-profits have the support of the state. Support that can get people away from the crushing blow of high premiums, denials for pre-existing conditions, and the myriad of reasons invented to prevent a basic human need.
anon clueless westconn jerk:
Most small business owners unlike you, are not socialists, therefore they oppose it.
west conn socialist et al:
I'll bet some "small businesses" would be eager to give up the expense of paying for health insurance for their employees. Is that what would actually happen under this plan? How do they define a "small business"? Does a small business (according to the Democrats) employ 100 or less, 50 or less, 25 or less, or 10 or less?
I guess I'd be more willing to embrace this plan is it wasn't being conveyed by a left wing liberal, union lackey. For that reason I am sceptical.
"Small companies should not be in the business of providing health insurance"
Why should larger companies then Mr. west conn leftist? I guess you missed the information about GM going down the tubes because of it's pension obligations forced on it by the UAW? Or how about US Steel which had about 1000 employees yet had pension obligations for over 100,000 (US Steel no longer exists). But according to socialists like Wright and anon- westconn-whatever if the government assumes the cost everything will be okey dokey.
Hey anonymous student, do you own a business? Have you ever tried to start a business in CT? Just curious as you seem to sound like you know what it takes to start something and keep people employed. any real life experience or is just stuff you have been told?
You gotta be a loud mouth republican that as usual doesn't know what he's talking about. You are nothing but a T.J. , Mocabe lackey!
Mr. Westconn is also Mr. Wrong. What my small business wants lifted from its shoulders is high taxes and unnecessary regulation. It will take care of its own employees' health insurance, thank you very much. It can't afford to pay for EVERYONE'S health insurance through taxes.
8:35, 9:53...yeaaaah!!!!
Where's the effort in controlling costs? Well the nurses union which get's it's members $35 per hour for taking temps, chan ging bed sheets and giving injections sure isn't going to budge (and they support Wrong-Wright). So why not just make the tax payers foot the bill? That way we can make Connecticut even lesss attractive to business.
anon clueless westconn jerk:
Most small business owners unlike you, are not socialists, therefore they oppose it.
Really cause the CBIA has testified in hartford that small businesses shouldn't be in the business of providing health insurance.
I'll bet some "small businesses" would be eager to give up the expense of paying for health insurance for their employees. Is that what would actually happen under this plan? How do they define a "small business"? Does a small business (according to the Democrats) employ 100 or less, 50 or less, 25 or less, or 10 or less?
I believe the bill defined it as 50or less but don't quote me on that. I'll have to look it up again. It wouldn't have eliminated the cost completly. Just lowered it due to the expanded size of the pool.
Why should larger companies then Mr. west conn leftist?
I never said larger companies should either. But thanks for putting words in my mouth.
I guess you missed the information about GM going down the tubes because of it's pension obligations forced on it by the UAW?
Yea it has nothing to do with their crappy business model, their top heavy corporate end, their bloated budgets or their being outmanuvered by the Japanese. No its all the unions fault....
Or how about US Steel which had about 1000 employees yet had pension obligations for over 100,000 (US Steel no longer exists).
????
Hey anonymous student, do you own a business? Have you ever tried to start a business in CT? Just curious as you seem to sound like you know what it takes to start something and keep people employed. any real life experience or is just stuff you have been told?
Does it matter? If I found out information from people who own or who have started a small business, does it make a difference compared to if I started one myself. What's your point?
What my small business wants lifted from its shoulders is high taxes and unnecessary regulation. It will take care of its own employees' health insurance, thank you very much. It can't afford to pay for EVERYONE'S health insurance through taxes.
And I'm sure your able to offer the top of the line insurance without cutting into your profit margin either?
And since all of you keep saying it let me just add OOOOOOOOO Soooociallism!!!!!!!!
Calling a liberal democrat a socialist is like calling a conservative republican a fascist. It's insulting to fascists and socialists.
1:06 Why aren't you asking the CBIA all these questions? Is it because you are part of the useless bloodsuckers that can't make a profit other than off of those who can't afford it? GET REAL nobody believes you any more except you stone hearted lackey republicans. And we're supposed to feel sorry for you? The vampires of society ? I think not !
It never was even mandatory you liars!
To tell you namecalling cowards the truth I'd rather be called anything but a republican !
Well, westconn student, we know you don't own a small business, and it's obvious you never worked for GM. Come back when you've got a little more experience. I admire your pluck; you're just misinformed.
"I never said larger companies should either. But thanks for putting words in my mouth"
--Anaonwestconn: It's not all about you, it's about the bill. Apparently larger businesses are out of the pool.
"Yea it has nothing to do with their crappy business model, their top heavy corporate end, their bloated budgets or their being outmanuvered by the Japanese."
--Right GMs labor budget (because of the demands of the UAW) is killing the company. Too bad you didn't read the information that says approx. $1500 on every GM vehicle pays for the bennies for the UAW workers.
--"Top heavy corpoarte end" is a dillusion compared to the weight of its pension obligations to UAW people.
--You know nothing of GMs "business model", except what everyone else knows. The union workers are over-paid.
"Calling a liberal democrat a socialist is like calling a conservative republican a fascist"
--Actually NAZI stands for National SOCIALIST Party. American conservatives are nothing like either, while leftist Democrats are very close to adhering to the theories of Marx.
"And we're supposed to feel sorry for you? The vampires of society?"
---No you should feel sorry for the country you're ruining for your offspring (if anyone was stupid enough to mate with scum like you September 24, 2008 2:52 PM aka 3:07).
After all your hot air I still think you're a bloodsucking vampire of society. You can't make money on your own.
--Right GMs labor budget (because of the demands of the UAW) is killing the company. Too bad you didn't read the information that says approx. $1500 on every GM vehicle pays for the bennies for the UAW workers.
The only two brands GM produces that have seen an increase in sales are Chevrolet and Cadillac. All the other brands (Buick, Pontiac, Saturn, etc.) are down. Now is that due to a bad product with bad marketing, a bad economy, or union pensions. You can't pay those pensions if you can't even sell the damn product.
And GM has cut 90% of its UAW workforce and relocated most of its production overseas.
--You know nothing of GMs "business model", except what everyone else knows. The union workers are over-paid.
GM can't make a decent profit selling trucks anymore. Gas prices are certainly to blame. But when you consider that GM will offer over a dozen variations while a Japanese competitior will offer say for example two. It's not hard to figure out the impact of overhead costs.
Building a disposable car, with extensive varieties available. Sounds familiar right. It's the basic tenant of GM's philosophy. Problem is it was designed against the Model T. Doesn't exactly work in the 21st century.
--Actually NAZI stands for National SOCIALIST Party. American conservatives are nothing like either, while leftist Democrats are very close to adhering to the theories of Marx.
I never said Nazi for a reason. And you should read up on your Marx. If I could give you a quarter throught the internet I would but since I can't I'll just tell you to get a clue!
I'm not sure where the vampires of society comes into play. But I don't think I necessairly want to.
1:06 Yes, my small business does provide good health insurance to its employees. Top of the line? No, only teachers and GM's union employees and retirees get top of the line insurance coverage. Does it cut into my profit margin? Yes it does, but that's my choice. I have the freedom to provide it anyway. But as my taxes go up, and the government puts more regulations and mandates on me, I will be less able to pay insurance premiums. In fact I will be less able to pay employees' wages. Then you will have more people on unemployment and welfare. Get it?
No wonder yoou can't run your business . You can try to foll the people into thinking it's all the Unions fault but the truth can't be heard from you. "It's not mandatory" In other words "spin meister" you don't have to buy in if you don't want to. And you can blame everyone else all you want but the fact remains that you can't run your "small" business without peoples money. And you are not as big as GM.What's the matter have too many friends that sell insurance?
Fitzgerald endorsed by professors
Press release from Republican state House contender Jill Fitzgerald:
September 16, 2008 7:01 PM
Aren't they a "Union?" HaHaHa
5:33 So you're saying I can choose to pay taxes on my business or not???
It never was even mandatory you liars!
September 24, 2008 2:54 PM
5:56 In case you didn't read it correctly.
Sorry that was addressed to 5:57 not as stated 5:56. We do make mistakes on here you know! But a republican will NEVER admit it.
Hey where are the phonies, phony, phony, phony.......if the shoe fits .......LOL
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