iBlog

Connecticut Post

Results mixed in first year of Charter Oak health plan

Fortunately, once in operation, the SustiNet health care plan (vetoed by the governor, but overriden by the legislature) will provide the qaulity, affordable health care "promised " by Charter Oak - and MORE - along with cost-saving features left unaddressed by the Charter Oak plan.  (Jul 27, 2009 | post #3)

Connecticut Post

Legislative 'veto' session today

In fact, the health care reforms vetoed by Governor Rell would save our state millions and create thousands of jobs. Connecticut's economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, and health care costs are skyrocketing. Residents with insurance are just a lay-off, divorce, or serious illness away from un-insurance. Three hundred of us lose our insurance each day. SustiNet and the Partnership bill would give us peace of mind. None of us would ever again be without quality, affordable health care. And for each state dollar invested, Connecticut employers and employees would save $2.50 in health costs. Small businesses create 85 percent of Connecticut jobs. In every survey, small business owners list health care costs as the number one reason they cannot hire additional employees. SustiNet means jobs, jobs, and more jobs for Connecticut. Also, SustiNet would move Connecticut to the head of the line for federal reform dollars. It uses the critical mass of a large plan to make reforms that will control costs. And SustiNet has no fiscal impact on Connecticut for two years. It's time to get past petty-politics and government-bashing and fix the health care system.  (Jul 20, 2009 | post #12)

Connecticut Post

Override veto on health care

Head in the clouds: How dare you smear me as a socialist. And I NEVER slept in a cradle. I AM well-formed (thank you very much, kind sir!) What I AM is a card-carrying COMMUNIST (FYI - my card also doubles as an ACLU membership card. No lie!) I haven’t worked a single day since the canning factory closed down when I was eight. I live off of your taxes. No – I mean specifically YOUR taxes. Every year, end of April, the IRS sends me the check YOU sent them (now signed on the back, of course). I cash it and run right to the supermarket to buy 3-inch-thick steaks, bon-bons, beer, lottery tickets, and the National Sun. PS. Work didn’t build this country. Halliburton did.  (Jul 17, 2009 | post #10)

Connecticut Post

Rell preparing a 2nd budget order

One of those bills vetoed by Gov. Rell, the SustiNet health care reform plan, would actually end up saving our state millions of dollars and create thousands of jobs. Connecticut's economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, health care costs continue to skyrocket, and more state residents are going without health care coverage. The number of uninsured in our state is more than the combined populations of New Haven plus Hartford plus Middletown plus New London. And most of us WITH insurance are just a lay-off, a divorce, or a serious illness away from un-insurance. PA 09-148, the "SustiNet " bill, will give us all economic and health care "peace of mind." None of us will ever again be without quality, affordable health care. And for each dollar invested by the state, Connecticut employers and employees will save $2.80 in health care costs. That means more jobs for our state and more money in all of our pockets. Let's hope that our elected representatives say "no" to delay and excuses and "yes" to an override of the veto on the SustiNet health care reform bill next Monday.  (Jul 16, 2009 | post #3)

NewsTimes.com

Conn. Democrats debate which vetoes to override

One of those bills vetoed by Gov. Rell, the SustiNet health care reform plan, would actually save our state millions of dollars and create thousands of jobs. Connecticut's economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, health care costs continue to skyrocket, and more state residents are going without health care coverage. The number of uninsured in our state is more than the combined populations of New Haven plus Hartford plus Middletown plus New London. And most of us WITH insurance are just a lay-off, a divorce, or a serious illness away from un-insurance. PA 09-148, the "SustiNet " bill, will give us all economic and health care "peace of mind." None of us will ever again be without quality, affordable health care. And for each dollar invested by the state, Connecticut employers and employees will save $2.80 in health care costs. That means more jobs for our state and more money in all of our pockets. Let's hope that our elected representatives say "no" to delay and excuses and "yes" to an override of the veto on the SustiNet health care reform bill next Monday.  (Jul 15, 2009 | post #3)

Connecticut Post

Override veto on health care

That's a sad world you want to live in. No one helps anyone? Everyone out for themselves? The Founding Fathers would roll in their graves at such a selfish notion. Wherever you are, do you seriously think you got there with no help at all - including government help? America is a nation that takes care of its sick and needy. THAT'S patriotism.  (Jul 15, 2009 | post #4)

Connecticut Post

Override veto on health care

Great editorial. Connecticut deserves quality, affordable health care for everyone. We have a great plan - SustiNet - before us and it is ready for action. Our state has a long history of facing challenges head on - and succeeding. Let's add to that record of proud accomplishment!  (Jul 14, 2009 | post #1)

NewsTimes.com

Gov. Rell should sign SustiNet health bill

Over the next 12 hours Governor Rell will choose her legacy. She will decide how she'll be remembered by our grandchildren. History could record her as "A champion of the people of Connecticut" and "A Connecticut and American hero in the fight to make health care work for everyone." OR, She can choose to be that woman who came after the crook with the hot tub. It’s her call.  (Jul 8, 2009 | post #5)

Connecticut Post

Governor of No?

Don't forget that the CBIA is a very tight partner with CIGNA, whose insurance it hawks. That's the CIGNA whose ex-VP just told Congress: "Insurers make promises they have no intention of keeping, they flout regulations designed to protect consumers, and they make it nearly impossible to understand -- or even to obtain -- information we need... Senators should "look very closely at the role for-profit insurance companies play in making our health care system both the most expensive and one of the most dysfunctional in the world." And CBIA is also very tight with Anthem, another of its products. Yes, that's the Anthem which just announced it would be increasing premiums for its individual plans by a crushing 23 percent this fall. Know thy enemy by the company he keeps.... And listen to the people.  (Jul 1, 2009 | post #1)

Cigna

Former CIGNA Exec Has Stinging Words For Health Insurers

Our Governor Rell has the opportunity TODAY to stand up to the health insurance industry which, explains Potter, "Is using its massive wealth and influence to determine what is (and is not) included in the health care reform..." She can sign the comprehensive health care reform bill now on her desk: "SustiNet. " With SustiNet, there are no exclusions (or price jack-ups) for pre-existing conditions. No claims-deniers who get bonuses every time they say, "Sorry, but NO - that's not covered." The care is QUALITY care. And everyone can choose to stay with their existing plan, OR choose any other private plan, OR choose quality, affordable SustiNet coverage. I think the governor will do the right thing.  (Jun 25, 2009 | post #1)

Hartford Courant

Critic: Fix Or Kill State's Film Credit Tax Program

That's not "time" - it's just shoe polish from this morning that wouldn't wash off. (I was HOPING no one would notice . . .)  (Jun 17, 2009 | post #70)

Hartford Courant

Advocacy Group Criticizes Film Tax Credits As A 'Boondoggle' Fo...

So on-topic that I forgot to laugh!  (Jun 16, 2009 | post #49)

Hartford Courant

Advocacy Group Criticizes Film Tax Credits As A 'Boondoggle' Fo...

Why in the world would we want to "compare and contrast the effectiveness [of] CT's tax credit policy to that of other states"? This ain't no competition. The questions is: “Is CONNECTICUT getting enough bang for its taxpayer bucks?” The Voices report clearly says "no" - and no one I've heard from has been able to refute it anything close to a methodical, methodological way (just lots of meaningless anecdotal rants and "isn't it obvious??" type comments - nothing that stands up to even cursory inspection). Taxes are only one of many, many reasons that companies come to a state. Quality of life. Quality of schools. Quality of housing. Quality of infrastructure. Quality of health care. Let's focus on THOSE and steer clear of these film-flam tax credit "trickle-down " games.  (Jun 16, 2009 | post #48)

Hartford Courant

Advocacy Group Criticizes Film Tax Credits As A 'Boondoggle' Fo...

Actually, lox, the same people who want to raise taxes on the rich who live in Connecticut are almost entirely NOT the same people advocating to keep tax breaks for Hollywood. Is there an inconsistency in thinking here? I think so. See "SAME" above.  (Jun 16, 2009 | post #47)