DeStefano Unveils Universal Health Plan

In what may have been an attempt to recapture some of the momentum going into the Democratic convention, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano announced his plan today to provide affordable health care for all Connecticut residents. Here's the upshot:

The DeStefano Connecticut Cover All Now! Plan is anchored by two major reforms:

It creates a private health insurance one-stop marketplace, the Connecticut HealthCare Consortium (CHC), from which small businesses, families and individuals can purchase health insurance coverage, thus combining the small business and individual markets to create a large risk pool to open up access and drive down costs.

It reforms the state’s corporate income tax structure to provide all businesses with the tax relief needed to provide affordable, portable, and prevention-based coverage to every family in Connecticut. (DeStefano)

It's an interesting thought, and something like this is probably where the United States will end up in a few decades. I still think that some form of universal health care would help Connecticut be more competitive and attractive to businesses. This plan seems like a good starting place, although it would probably take quite some time to set up and do well.

Dan Malloy welcomed DeStefano to the health care debate, but countered that his own plan to cover every child would take effect immediately:

We have some differences to be sure -- perhaps the most important one is that unlike John DeStefano, I don't believe we can wait any longer to take action. We need to implement real, specific, achievable plans -- and we can't wait for the next session or the next election: the time to act is now.

That's why I proposed a plan for immediate universal health care coverage for children, called "Every Child Matters," prior to this legislative session. But the Rell Administration did nothing. And I was surprised and disappointed that John didn't join my call to have this plan implemented immediately -- in this legislative session. Not next year -- but now. (Malloy)

So far Gov. Rell has been quiet on health care, which is too bad. This is one of the most pressing issues we face, along with job creation and transportation.

I do like the DeStefano plan in theory. The idea of a state clearinghouse for health insurance isn't a terrible one, but only if it's done well. That may be the real hurdle.

Sources

"DeStefano announces universal health care." DeStefano for Connecticut. Press Release, 12 April, 2006.

"Malloy welcomes DeStefano to health care debate." Malloy for Governor. Press Release, 12 April, 2006.