Last week, I wrote about the serious concerns SB 11 poses for Connecticut businesses. The response has been strong—in the best way. It’s sparked meaningful conversations with business owners, healthcare leaders, and community stakeholders across the state. And one thing has become clear: this isn’t just a business issue.
What we’ve since learned is that even large insurers don’t support SB 11. While I’ve been vocal about my concerns as a self-funded business owner, it turns out that some carriers don’t want this bill either. In fact, they’ve been actively rallying brokers and clients to push back. When both sides of the healthcare system—the employers trying to offer affordable care, and the insurers administering those plans—agree that a bill is harmful, it raises a fair question: Who exactly is this legislation helping?
SB 11, and specifically Section 12, would set a one-size-fits-all financial threshold that undermines self-funding entirely. It would create more regulation, more administrative complexity, and more financial pressure for businesses and plans alike—all without solving the underlying problem: healthcare is too expensive.
If the people on both sides of the issue are saying, “This won’t work,” then the goal of the legislation needs to be reexamined.
This is a perfect example of what happens when bills are created without input from every stakeholder at the table. If we’re serious about real reform, it needs debate, input from all perspectives, and a shared commitment to making healthcare better—not just more complicated.
We need open conversation and common-sense solutions. I’m encouraged by the response so far. Now let’s use it to create something better.
