Rell Vetoes Health Insurance Measures as Too Expensive, Premature

By SUSAN HAIGH
Associated Press Writer
     HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Wednesday vetoed two high-profile bills aimed at extending affordable health insurance to more residents.
     Rell said the legislation, while well-intentioned, was too expensive and premature given the current push in Washington to overhaul the nation's health care system.
     One bill would have created a new public authority to develop a plan to extend coverage to the state's uninsured _ the first step toward a universal type of health insurance system in Connecticut. The second would have opened up the state's health insurance plan for state workers and retirees to municipalities, small businesses and nonprofit agencies.
     Rell, a Republican, meanwhile signed an executive order establishing a 15-member advisory board to come up with proposals in response to the anticipated federal changes.
     ``We hope folks will see the wisdom of moving in a more deliberate fashion,'' said Robert Genuario, Rell's budget chief.
     But health care reform advocates weren't giving up on the bills and urged the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to override Rell's veto. Democrats are expected to return to Hartford for a veto session later this month.
     ``It's a slap in the face to thousands of small businesses and every person in this state who cannot wait for quality, affordable health care,'' Juan A. Figueroa, president of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, said of the vetoes. His independent nonprofit, which promotes universal access to health care, estimates 325,000 of the state's 3.5 million residents don't have health insurance.
     Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, ranking Republican on the Public Health Committee, said he doesn't expect an override attempt by the Democrats.
     ``I believe that a number of moderate Democrats voted for that with the expectation that it would be vetoed,'' he said. ``I don't think that they are inclined to vote for an override.''
     Rell's office maintains that the bill to ultimately create universal health coverage for the uninsured would likely cost about $1 billion annually, while the other bill opening up the state's health plan would cost at least $69 million for 2010 alone and put state taxpayers on the hook for additional costs in future years.
     House Speaker Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden, disagreed, arguing that opening up the state's insurance plan would save the state tens of millions of dollars. The governor vetoed similar legislation last year.
     ``By vetoing the Healthcare Partnership again this year, Governor Rell has ignored the opportunity to provide Connecticut families and businesses relief from the burdens of high health-care costs by denying them access to the health plan that she, legislators and state employees already enjoy,'' Donovan said.


     (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)