CBIA Slams Lawmakers Over Health Cost Bill Rejection

0:00Connecticut's biggest business group, the CBIA, is firing shots at state lawmakers after the appropriations committee shot down a key bill to ease. Healthcare costs for small businesses. House Bill 5378 will let small companies team up through multiple employer welfare arrangements or mevy ways to pull their workers and snag better insurance deals all under tight state rules. The bill crews through the insurance and real estate committee on a 9-4 vote, but hit a wall Monday in appropriations, even though governor, Ned Lamont backed it. That committee had a packed agenda with 55 bills, yet they voted no on this one. Small businesses have been pleading for relief as their health cost skyrocket and the small group insurance market shrinks. CBIA's president, Chris Depentema, called it a mischance to show real support for these companies and their employees. He slammed some legislators for letting politics trump smart policy, despite the bills bipartisan not earlier. Depentema pushed back on critics, saying these pooled plans are fully regulated, stick to

1:03affordable care act rules, and deliver benefits that match, or beat without their now. This rejection leaves small employers hanging in a tough spot, but the 5-4 affordable coverage rages on as business leaders keep the pressure. Dialed up. You've been listening to Hartford News today, AI-powered local news.