Insurance and Real Estate Committee
SENATE FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-201
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY HEALTH INSURANCE
Title: AND HEALTH CARE INEQUITY IN THIS STATE.
Vote Date: 3/10/2020
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/25/2020
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following SENATE FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Insurance and Real Estate Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill will establish a task force to study health insurance and health care inequity in this state.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Senator Len Fasano, 34th District, Senate Republican Leader feels Senate Bill No. 201 is
a concept Sen. Kelly has advocated for to establish a task force to study health insurance
and health care inequity in this state. The Connecticut Health Foundation released a study1
this year that found that babies born to black mothers are more than four times as likely to die
before their first birthday as babies born to white mothers in Connecticut. The study also
found that black residents are nearly four times as likely as white residents to have a
diabetes-related lower-extremity amputation, and more than twice as likely to die from
diabetes. According to the study, black men are nearly twice as likely to die from prostate
cancer as white men. Connecticut Voices for Children also released a study2 this year that
found Black and Latino residents are more likely than white residents to be uninsured, to die
before reaching adulthood and to report being in poor health. According to research from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)3 , Black, American Indian, and Alaska
Native (AI/AN) women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy related
causes than white women and this disparity increases with age.
In order to develop the most effective solutions we need to better understand the issue
including where and why problems exist. This proposed bill would initiate more research into
health equity in Connecticut specifically to improve health outcomes for all people. A
taskforce will be able to more closely study if and how better data collection and reporting can
lead to more informed policy decisions and what those policy concepts might include.
Pareesa Charmchi Goodwin, MPH, Executive Director , CT Oral Health Initiative
We respectfully request oral health be included in the established task forces study of
coverage and care inequities, specifically because dental coverage is distinct from health
coverage in our system. If the task force is to make our understanding of inequity more
complete and build towards solutions that address inequities and improve outcomes, it is
crucial to include oral health. We suggest the following language.
1 Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force
2 to study inequity in the provision of health and dental insurance coverage and
3 health and oral health care services in this state. Such study shall include, but need not
4 be limited to, identifying any means available to promote equity in the
5 provision of health and dental insurance coverage and health and oral health care services
in this
6 state
Connecticut Hospital Association feels the task force to study health insurance and health
equity in Connecticut, which would be established by SB 201, is consistent with the work of
CHA, its members and community partners, and will be helpful with efforts to improve
healthcare coverage and equity in the state.
Karen Siegel, MPH Policy Health Equity Solutions Health equity is a principle, a practice,
and a way of being that allows everyone to attain their optimal health regardless of race,
ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. S.B. 201 has the potential to promote health equity by
establishing a task force to study the means by which Connecticut can improve equity in
health insurance and health care services in the state. Health disparities are the inequities
within specific populations regarding disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality,
and many other conditions that influence health.1 We support this effort to examine feasible
solutions to inequity in access to health care in Connecticut. We would urge the committee to
require this task force to consider the significant depth of research already undertaken in the
state on this issue by academic and policy experts.2 Further, we would strongly urge the
committee to include and seek input from consumer representatives from diverse
communities and backgrounds to ensure that the findings of the task force truly meet the
needs of those who are currently underserved. We respectfully suggest including at least
three consumer representatives on this task force and requiring that consumer
representatives be equal partners in number and influence to provider and industry
representatives. We further encourage the committee to require the task force to seek input
from a wider group of Connecticut residents who experience health disparities. The barriers
to health insurance and health care vary by socioeconomic status, health status, and
race/ethnicity. Therefore, the task force should consult with individuals from diverse
communities of color, the LGBTQ community, Medicaid enrollees, Qualified Health Plan
enrollees, and individuals living with disabilities.
Alison Weir, Greater Hartford Legal Aid Connecticut is one of the most affluent states in
the country and ranks highly on national measures of health, but we have significant
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disparities in health care access and outcomes across the ethnic, racial, and other population
groups that contribute to the diversity of Connecticuts population. The state took a first step
in addressing these disparities with the establishment of the Office of Health Equity in the
Department of Public Health, but it is clear the time has come to do more. Data collection is
uneven, but what data have been collected depict troubling disparities. For example, infant
mortality among black and Latinx residents is three and two times higher respectively than
among white residents, and black residents are twice as likely to die from diabetes as white
residents. A task force could focus attention on the issue and study the most effective ways
to collect the necessary data to fully understand the sources of the disparities and identify
how best to eliminate disparities and ensure that Connecticut is a healthy place to live for all
our residents.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Brynna Blackston, CT Association of Health Plans feels given the potential for study bills
to be further amended with substantive language and request an opportunity for continued
dialogue.
Reported by: Diane Kubeck Date: April 15, 2020
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