Governor Will Tap Federal Health Care Funding

HARTFORD — Governor M. Jodi Rell said she plans to take advantage of President Bush’s offer to provide federal funding to help states cover the uninsured.

Gov Rell, a Republican, said January 26 that Connecticut could use the additional federal money to reduce the cost of the $250 monthly premium for a new health insurance program she proposed last month. The governor said reducing the premium would allow even more people to take advantage of the coverage.

“It would be a lot less expensive than $450 million,” Gov Rell said, referring to a plan that Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr, D-Brooklyn, unveiled January 25. His proposal calls for expanding eligibility for the state’s existing HUSKY and Medicaid programs, as well as providing $250 million to increase reimbursement rates to medical providers who serve patients in the state programs.

Mr Williams said he expects half of the $450 million will come from the federal government. He has not, however, figured out how much the program will cost in future years.

Gov Rell said that concerns her.

“I think that presents a huge problem,” she told reporters at a news conference.

Health insurance coverage is one of the major issues of the new leg­islative session. Connecticut has an estimated 400,000 uninsured residents, and there is pressure from health care advocates to create a universal system of coverage this year.

Under Gov Rell’s proposal, private insurers would offer a comprehensive health insurance plan called the Charter Oak Plan to uninsured adults of all incomes. It would cost each participant about $250 a month in premiums and would offer a full prescription drug package with copays ranging from $10 to $15.