Substitute House Bill No. 7048 proposes significant revisions to the structure and responsibilities of the Health Care Cabinet within the Office of Health Strategy in Connecticut. The bill increases the membership from five to seven, with appointments made by the Governor, the president pro tempore of the Senate, and the speaker of the House of Representatives, while removing previous provisions for appointments by the SustiNet Health Partnership board. The Commissioner of Health Strategy will serve as the chairperson, and the Behavioral Health Advocate will be included as an ex-officio voting member. Additionally, the bill eliminates the governor’s nonprofit liaison as a non-voting member and introduces a representative from a statewide association of community nonprofits as a voting member. The initial term for gubernatorial appointees is reduced from four years to three years.

The bill also updates the Cabinet's advisory role, focusing on the development of an integrated health care system, evaluating the health care workforce, and identifying gaps due to federal health care reform. It removes the previous requirement for a joint evaluation of a basic health program option with the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange and makes various technical and conforming changes, including the removal of obsolete language regarding the Cabinet's duties. The effective date of the bill is upon passage, and its overall aim is to enhance the Cabinet's effectiveness in addressing health care access, quality, and spending in the state.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
PH Joint Favorable:
File No. 163: