Editorial: “Inflation’s Next Target – Health Insurance”
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In a recent conversation with a Prospect resident, she told me that she used to worry about what brands to choose from at the store. Now, she says that she is more concerned with finding what she needs for the week and how to pay for it. Not to mention that the number at the bottom of her receipt is slowly increasing as stores struggle to keep shelves stocked. There is no doubt that the cost of living in Connecticut is on a constant upward trend, but the real question is, what’s inflation’s next target?
Sadly, it may have just revealed itself. On July 8th, the Connecticut Insurance Department released the initial proposed rate filings for certain 2023 individual and small group health insurance markets. These filings are for both state-sponsored and off-exchange plans that are associated with 9 insurance providers who cover roughly 206,000 Connecticut residents.
In the report, the average individual rate request for 2023 is 20.4%, while it was only 8.6% in 2022. For small group market rates, the increase request for 2023 is 14.8%, up from a 12.9% average in 2022. Although you may have thought it was impossible, living in Connecticut may become even more expensive once again, upon approval of these rates.
That’s why I have joined House and Senate Republicans to call for an open Public Hearing to vocalize our concerns with yet another attempt to squeeze our wallets. We can no longer ignore the historic and unreasonable cost of living in Connecticut, especially as these record prices sneak their way into essential needs like health care.
Although Legislative Republicans repeatedly proposed plans that reduced health care insurance costs by $6,400 per year for the average family, Legislative Democrats had other priorities. Moreover, I am unfortunately anticipating the future effects of inflation that should have been addressed in the majority party’s state budget adjustments. I will continue to advocate for the use of the state’s historic $800 million surplus to help families in Prospect, Bethany, Cheshire, and Waterbury.
Right now, families are sacrificing quality necessities left and right. With these new insurance rate requests, it seems like costs are soaring in more new ways each week. So, what’s next for inflation to infect? Our utility costs? Water? What about heating oils, especially as we slowly approach the winter months? I strongly urge my friends and neighbors to hold their government accountable by expressing your concerns immediately.
To learn more about this issue and the steps you can take to submit a public comment, visit my website at RepZupkus.com, and to view our plan to counteract high costs visit AffordableConnecticut.com.
I encourage anyone who would like to ask questions or share concerns about the legislative process to email me at Lezlye.Zupkus@housegop.ct.gov, or call my office at 860-240-8700. You can also visit www.facebook.com/RepZupkus for more frequent updates.