Lamont and Bysiewicz Seek to Build on Progress of Obamacare

Press Release

Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz, Democratic nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, met with local and state leaders, health advocates and experts, to discuss their plans to build on the progress of Obamacare by providing quality, affordable health insurance to all Connecticut residents.

The press conference followed a tour of Community Health Services in Hartford on Tuesday, and comes nearly a week after Bob Stefanowski said during a gubernatorial debate held at the University of Connecticut Sept. 26 that Obamacare has not helped Connecticut residents.

Stefanowski's tax scheme would create deep cuts to funding for the state's 93 school-based health centers that provide health services to 44,000 children, the Home Care Program for Elders that caters to 4,000 seniors and the state's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the midst of Connecticut's opioid crisis.

If elected, Lamont and Bysiewicz would:

Guarantee essential Obamacare protections like coverage for contraception, preventative care, pre-existing conditions, and mental health treatment;
Reduce premiums on the exchange by up to 20 percent through a reinsurance program modeled on successful efforts at the federal level and in other states;
Protect people against junk plans peddled by the Trump Administration; and
Provide coverage for additional residents by marketing the open enrollment period.
"The Affordable Care Act has meant increased access to health care, lower cost and better-quality care for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents. But the Trump administration has waged successful attacks on Obamacare and demonstrated the danger of having a leader in the executive branch who is not committed to quality, accessible, affordable healthcare. In lockstep with Trump, Stefanowski does not see the benefit of the ACA, which has undeniably and substantially improved health care in our state," Lamont said. "Susan and I will build on Obamacare's progress to ensure that health care becomes a fundamental right for all Connecticut residents, not a privilege for a select few, we will reduce rates, and protect against high-deductible short-term plans."

Under Obamacare, more than 160,000 uninsured Connecticut residents have gained coverage. Obamacare has also given 522,000 Connecticut adults under 65 guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions.

This year, a law was enacted that codifies into state statute the 10 essential health benefits covered by Obamacare and access to birth control with no out-of-pocket costs. This law requires insurers to cover maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; and preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management.

Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Joe Markley voted against codifying the 10 essential health benefits into state statute last year.

"Republican lieutenant governor candidate Joe Markley was one of only two state senators to vote against a bill codifying 10 essential Affordable Care Act benefits into state law. If the Stefanowski-Markley ticket has its way, the assault on Obamacare will continue. More than 160,000 people in Connecticut would become uninsured, health care companies would openly discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, and we would see prescription drug prices skyrocket. We need a governor and lieutenant governor who will stand up for what's in the best interest of all Connecticut residents. You can be assured we will be fighting to protect the Affordable Care Act," Bysiewicz said.

Obamacare has been directly responsible for reducing Connecticut's uninsured rate by 45 percent statewide, with even greater progress in some communities.

Without Obamacare, there would be nearly twice as many uninsured residents under the age of 65 in New Haven and Waterbury. Bridgeport would have 50 percent more uninsured nonelderly residents, while Hartford's uninsured rate would be 60 percent higher.

Source