(Hartford, Conn. WTIC)-Asserting the proposal by Democrats and the Governor will cost more and kill jobs, House and Senate Republicans are calling for their proposal for re-insurance to be put back on the table.
"This issue has been long overdue. It was the passage of the Affordable Care Act some seven years ago, and since then, democrats who have held the majority have promised to reduce health care costs. Unfortunately for the Connecticut family, that has not yet become a reality," State Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said.
According to Republican leaders, their proposal reduces premiums by thirty percent, creates equity and saves middle class jobs.
State Senator Tony Hwang, who serves as a ranking member of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, explains that the proposed measure focuses on collaboration and an effort to contain cost.
"Our solution recognizes it's a better way of collaboration and input from all shareholders, not a state takeover of health insurance," Hwang said.
Utilizing federal funds for reinsurance, benchmarking as a basis for cost comparisons, addressing prescription drugs and respecting transparency in an audit process are just some of proposed solutions from Republicans, he said.
The measure died in the Insurance Committee. It was the only bill that did not get out of the committee, Kelly said, unlike the bills from Democrats that did get out of committee.
Republican leaders argue the plan by Democrats creates a government-run system that kills jobs or the one by the Governor that places a 50-million-dollar tax on insurance premiums.
The call from Republican leaders comes as the legislative session nears its end.
"We have one week left, folks. One week," Kelly said.