The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6895 seeks to amend the health benefit review process within the Insurance Department by introducing new definitions for terms such as "Exchange," "Health carrier," "Qualified health plan," and "State employee plan." The bill establishes a health benefit review program that will evaluate mandated health benefits that receive a public hearing from the General Assembly's joint standing committee. Funding for this program will be sourced from the Insurance Fund, and the Insurance Commissioner will have the authority to engage independent experts for assistance in the review process. Significant deletions from current law include the removal of specific language regarding mandated health benefits and the previous requirement for the commissioner to contract with The University of Connecticut for conducting reviews.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new criteria for evaluating mandated health benefits, focusing on financial hardships for individuals without coverage, public demand for treatments, and the social implications of coverage. It emphasizes the need for credible scientific evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of treatments, as well as the financial impact of mandated benefits on insurance premiums and healthcare costs. The joint standing committee will also be allowed to hold public hearings after the commissioner submits mandated health benefit review reports, enhancing transparency in the process. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and will amend existing law to incorporate these changes.

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