[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99,111],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6635461,"mediaKeyId","2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993","parentId",2634189,"title","Health advocates push for public disclosure of insurer parity reports; insurers urge caution","audioSeconds",2909,"startMs",2518000,"endMs",5427000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993&start=2518&end=5427","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993/thumbnail_2518000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6635461/Connecticut/Health-advocates-push-for-public-disclosure-of-insurer-parity-reports-insurers-urge-caution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635461-9507a531305cc60e4b8c9b39908c2f5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769866799&Signature=hQGDTsIisbbDgipy83L6RNazg~smeesPuHHz73--XolZ51r-bt4GvSysA0BcoUVbf6LEtEk6HDapZ3gNf9wLog4LxNNkXUcxQCrEDMQVrcj4FtJwugsKOfEBJVRV8JL9kDqXDJxpnQ82kOsgmPxSKYh1e1sNN3Mu-Zn18Q7SFoYmZdIu9r60hK4qD2bCPUMUv5X10YjF2ClqX-qk~VRrmoxQB3CibtmIgL9bVvqMTgaRe7vHP~PW3Oum-SwxBIUDLFt8Jui-ty~Edclb9VeST0nw9qtGEdAj1m63P5VXpntdWCgtGDszjUts7h6FeVvIxVuev20mRxZWkMd1QXgUig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut State Legislature - Government Administration and Elections","date","2025-03-14T18:08:30.487Z","article","Advocates from NAMI Connecticut, Cover My Mental Health, Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Mental Health Connecticut and several others urged the Government Administration and Elections Committee to pass House Bill 7 207, which would make insurer reports on mental-health parity public records. Witnesses said transparency is necessary to detect and correct parity violations and to give researchers, advocates and lawmakers evidence to enforce laws.

Thomas Burr, public policy manager for NAMI Connecticut, said HB 7 2 0 7 would improve accountability and help address “warning signs of parity noncompliance” identified in a 2024 Office of Health Strategy report. Burr testified that noncompliance forces people into worse health outcomes and shifts costs to public programs, arguing the reports should be publicly accessible so lawmakers and advocates can analyze them.

Joe Feldman of Cover My Mental Health described difficulties patients face when insurers deny treatments on the basis of “medical necessity” and said clearer public reporting would allow comparison between insurer standards and generally accepted clinical practice.

Kathy Flaherty of Connecticut Legal Rights Project and Lucy Gilchrist (Yale School of Public Health) likewise cited studies showing access gaps and underlined that public reporting would allow advocates and researchers to identify patterns and recommend fixes.

Mental Health Connecticut’s Christian Damiana called insurer opposition to disclosure “an effort to avoid transparency” and said a lack of public data undermines enforcement of parity laws. Damiana noted the issue has broad support: “One third of state legislators, the comptroller and the attorney general have backed nearly identical language in companion legislation,” and said FOI and parity advocates support the bill.

The Connecticut Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying its members are committed to parity but warning that the reports include commercially sensitive information and that public disclosure could have “unintended consequences,” including reduced competition for state contracts. The association said it is willing to work with the committee and the insurance department to refine language.

Committee members pressed witnesses on whether any data should remain confidential, how to balance proprietary concerns with accountability, and whether insurer reports as currently filed contain enough detail to permit verification of compliance. Several witnesses referenced specific reports (Milliman, OHS 2024) showing commercial insurers exhibit warning signs of noncompliance. No formal committee vote on HB 7 2 0 7 was recorded in the hearing transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Government Administration and Elections Committee March 14th Public Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","Advocates including NAMI Connecticut, Mental Health Connecticut and providers urged the Government Administration and Elections Committee to pass HB 7 2 0 7, arguing that making insurer parity reports public would expose noncompliance and let researchers and regulators hold insurers accountable.","taxTitle","Government Administration and Elections, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Connecticut","taxId",15584,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635466,"Mashantucket Pequot leaders urge Connecticut to condemn 1638 Treaty of Hartford, seek new Capitol statue process",5059,833000,5892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993&start=833&end=5892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993/thumbnail_833000.jpg","/articles/6635466/Connecticut/Mashantucket-Pequot-leaders-urge-Connecticut-to-condemn-1638-Treaty-of-Hartford-seek-new-Capitol-statue-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635466-ab2289d8a78650a00062aee44a15b2dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1769866799&Signature=IEfn7odHDEyNZ3B8QE2RXaTpFR~HvkJ4t1V3MPLVPHnF-dgL1A0R4j8wXwGHKSYApHdY1q9QPznW2GN1JPqlsEuU-RrNdH3HXbeWdAIrDQqyXOToQhfsmqp8jCD5GwyZe1owfLh4fIutSCfhN-qYcfgVZ75N9WQtZhaWFlmK6KpI2aBn7umyA5f8AMPlASLAwZ3Lpfd46sZ2he8ofRvZsqgaMknK9~Tpn4D-b-sDVZPRniaIAwYD6Kmf2EyWh-pfNMBIYWiYmLjUg3DWDxrWagkpbMe07bs7I-e8bvymTyvk4UFg7EE0Bpd5mV0G1JpyhAA8MRFg9GqIYSNvcFMefA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Latoya Clough, vice chairwoman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, testified in support of Senate Joint Resolution 16 and House Bill 6040 before the Government Administration and Elections Committee, asking the state to condemn the 1638 Treaty of Hartford and to adopt a formal, inclusive process for placing statues at the Connecticut State Capitol.

Clough said the treaty followed the Pequot War and “formalized the attempt…to erase the very existence of our people,” describing how survivors were enslaved, exiled or forced to assimilate and how “even the reference of the name Pequot was outlawed.” She thanked the committee and Senator Austin for advancing the resolution.

Committee members questioned why a 1638 treaty should be the subject of a state resolution today; Representative Massie Francesco and Senator Sampson raised concerns that the events predated U.S. independence and said members needed more historical context. Clough replied that Pequot history is part of Connecticut’s history and urged committee members to visit the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center to learn more.

Clough also addressed HB 6040, which would establish a process for adding statues and create a historical commission to guide memorialization at the Capitol. She said the tribe supports a process “for adding new statues to the Connecticut State Capitol and creating a historical commission to guide memorization effort,” and suggested relocating the John Mason statue to the Old State House Museum as an interpretive exhibit rather than a place of honor.

Supporters who spoke later, including Senator Kathy Austin and Jennifer Kiku Langford McDonald, framed the resolution as an acknowledgement of historical harms and a step toward reconciliation. Opponents and some committee members emphasized competing historical narratives and warned against erasing history; Representative Massie Francesco said moving a statue does not remove it from the historical record and argued that educational context could be preserved in other ways.

The testimony left the committee with several open questions: how the state should balance contested historical narratives, whether a public or expert-driven historical review is required before formal action, and what process HB 6040 should adopt for reviewing existing and proposed memorials. No formal vote or committee decision on SJ 16 or HB 6040 was recorded in the hearing transcript.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation urged the committee to view the measures as steps toward historical truth and reconciliation and to use a formal process to determine what is memorialized at the Capitol and how.","Latoya Clough, vice chairwoman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, told the Government Administration and Elections Committee she supports Senate Joint Resolution 16 condemning the 1638 Treaty of Hartford and asked lawmakers to adopt House Bill 6040 to create a formal process for adding or relocating statues at the Connecticut State Capitol.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635447,"Lawmakers hear calls to strengthen siting council oversight and consumer advocacy after local solar array fire",8585,11807000,3222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993&start=11807&end=3222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993/thumbnail_11807000.jpg","/articles/6635447/Connecticut/Lawmakers-hear-calls-to-strengthen-siting-council-oversight-and-consumer-advocacy-after-local-solar-array-fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635447-a5f26b2351867aef3878e3c20b732786/orig.mp4?Expires=1769866799&Signature=Oy5bGJcNVbh~dEsdCPwXNUMo7TwBEzsZivdV56DfLxHVnr8y~wGAimphc8jQa0FSSvEl7Z6zr3zAu4vq2S4q3GlXu4PCwU0j3Xe~XHl3~zES0pNrABzpeWMT6s-H9xG2LmDOl1vtgP3Tbx3wIyBwvIoL5k5c5wk8Ob0-o0PteoHgyWCGypnkR3DfbVgfc01lU8YRB2Wd8Z0XGL47J~rhByseFgALAR1O01ZyZcBHHUGM0e-EX6WN-9zPqT-6f1zkM7PeukXwW7LVGRV7NXjDKiKF0YkyZdZN92lXR2szfzdy09Nxf5eBeYj0JJKOLh4kNeB0gdY~NeKWIcY6V5Be7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives, residents and legislators asked the Government Administration and Elections Committee to consider bills and amendments to strengthen the authority and resources of the Connecticut Siting Council, the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to oversee generation projects and protect ratepayers and neighbors.

Jamie Foster, a state representative who represents a district with a recent solar-array incident, described a locally sited utility-scale array that caught fire and produced an explosion after earlier service and noise complaints. Foster said residents reported the site’s inverters and equipment were “on fire” and that the array sits about 27 feet from a nearby house. She told the committee the incident highlighted gaps in state oversight for de-energization/re-energization decisions and in ensuring independent technical review.

Witnesses urged the committee to expand OCC’s ability to intervene in siting council proceedings (HB 7206 testimony was referenced) and to permit the siting council and PURA to retain independent engineers and auditors so that technical claims put forward by utilities are independently tested. Ian McDonald and other consumer advocates argued for more transparency, increased lobbying disclosures around siting council proceedings and better representation of ratepayer interests in decisions that can lead to large, rate‑funded projects.

Representative Foster said FOIA coverage for communications involving utilities, developers and siting decisions should be broadened and that the legislature should clarify which entity — the siting council, PURA, local fire marshals or others — has final say over safely re-energizing a generator after a critical failure.

Committee members asked about federal (FERC) jurisdictional limits and the practical costs of hiring independent experts. Witnesses said the long‑term savings to ratepayers from preventing “gold‑plating” or unnecessary transmission projects would likely exceed the incremental cost of hiring outside technical reviewers. No committee vote or final action was recorded in the hearing transcript.","After a local solar array fire and complaints about noise and safety, lawmakers and local officials urged stronger oversight by the siting council, OCC and PURA — including expanded intervener rights and the use of independent engineers — to protect neighbors and ratepayers.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635452,"Contracting Standards Board seeks statutory funding safeguards and expanded authority; unions support changes, nonprofits warn of scope creep",7063,3917000,10980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993&start=3917&end=10980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993/thumbnail_3917000.jpg","/articles/6635452/Connecticut/Contracting-Standards-Board-seeks-statutory-funding-safeguards-and-expanded-authority-unions-support-changes-nonprofits-warn-of-scope-creep","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635452-514ab73c12957b190245821f1928ba4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1769866799&Signature=GqHH6Jc0cGV~g5jvuClsUC2rMVO3d2ZAQVS0edeNsKY5kP5o3JRi8S-WSm7bzKt1jLUX8sYHwaRiWCJPxijkF3wZMXAyNPizHge0kKC7J4~-9ZCpkqVvaZoq0gt55lnENwTCfEVi7lOq0PL1zp03rDWoAxb35l9ei9RmcX4uHYoOPEbuWig0aMVZtaieiXsRl2IbRRwCByS9IFI7H7IgxQLJgq65ioXYNtgrpxbnXtvgu8CQCLBCHVwFio9ev0ImdC0M1ezgnYGeCedZqfQJaH3yecGBnzdxTZ-Gte2ZxKB8NI4kbOp2xG3LSXG4BHNMIHlw~wGjv6ZK5A3jpWodyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Daniels, executive director of the State Contracting Standards Board, testified in support of Senate Bill 14 99, saying the legislation would protect the board’s funding request process, require consistent notice to contractors about appeal rights, and expand oversight authority in some areas. Daniels told the committee the board sought greater statutory input into its budget submission to OPM and protective treatment similar to other watchdog agencies.

Daniels said the board’s budget request this year was for roughly $874,000 in FY 2026 and $885,000 in FY 2027, while the allocation he reported was approximately $766,000 for each year; he described a resulting shortfall. He also asked that notices about contractor appeal rights be statutorily required rather than left to agency practice.

Diane Murphy of a state workers’ union and other public-sector advocates supported SB 1499, saying the board needs tools and staffing to safeguard taxpayer dollars and to provide oversight of privatization and contracting practices. They cited prior board work that led to policy changes and cost savings.

The Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance testified in favor of many provisions but objected to a narrow set of lines in section 11 (lines 597–599 in the bill text cited) that, they argued, would bring the state’s health and human services contracting system under the board’s purview without commensurate staff capacity; the alliance warned this could slow contracting and disrupt nonprofit service providers that deliver state-funded services.

Committee members asked about budget authority changes and whether OPM’s testimony opposing some sections should be considered. Daniels said the intent is to ensure adequate, protected funding for the board and to memorialize notice practices for contractors. No committee vote or final action was recorded in the hearing transcript for SB 1499.","The State Contracting Standards Board and supporters asked lawmakers to pass SB 1499 to protect the board’s budget request process, require statutory notice of contractor appeal rights in solicitations, and expand oversight; supporters and opponents agreed more staff and clearer scope details are needed.",{"_32":112,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":113,"_40":114,"_42":115,"_44":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635456,"Union and local leaders back bill to let residents force referenda on municipal sales and privatization",6440,2929000,9369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993&start=2929&end=9369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2634189-57c8cedb4e98e72d96e490d23266e993/thumbnail_2929000.jpg","/articles/6635456/Connecticut/Union-and-local-leaders-back-bill-to-let-residents-force-referenda-on-municipal-sales-and-privatization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635456-63dd79cb87e2611151c94c90d8273f12/orig.mp4?Expires=1769866799&Signature=YSfa3L7px13EuU9ajtH-EcqZW~kbZUIQ0aZsOA0EXs6Pj87q2ql5wLsm6-0fyrhAspRfMlISNpibnyRkJEfWf8RQRDA2PBhYd9Gxkc-uADHlDxMWrflSt0HewvlW68M7G63aZKsw-EaZf~fiziW4kMDYUd~VmZy6g-sK8jry086hRO7~RR1eG9nbxIKpfDRnlh5Jlg-Q3z3yr0AHpnX8SW1gT6zEAr8jDI~3L20wcw6IerLQjevW8qQOFdg1z2A4bsvGx6zmS1yWLrQcuEp3mdPI3yTfvpALUnZppZe4J14fRp6fQmc9QqEr6FwLtwm~xeyQa~TmeTb1rZ22G0bkFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple union leaders, municipal residents and lawmakers urged the Government Administration and Elections Committee to advance HB 7 2 0 8, a bill that would create a petition-and-referendum mechanism for municipalities that propose selling authorities, privatizing departments or disposing of certain property.

Andrew Rhodes of AFSCME and other union witnesses said privatization can harm service quality and workers’ jobs. Rhodes testified, “I strongly urge the committee to support bill 7,208 for the benefit of our wonderful communities and dedication to our union employees.” Teamsters Local 443 and other local organizers argued the measure would restore community accountability when elected officials seek one-time revenue by selling public assets.

Several witnesses described the 2015 Stratford case, where residents gathered signatures, forced a referendum and defeated a proposed sale. They contrasted Stratford with Ansonia (referred to in testimony as “Antonia”), where residents objected to the sale of the Water Pollution Control Authority and said they lacked a charter mechanism to force a vote; speakers said that sale led to increases in sewer rates and that some residents saw rates jump sharply after privatization.

Representative Kara Rochelle, who sponsored testimony describing a local sale that doubled certain sewer charges in multifamily homes, asked the committee to consider thresholds and windows for petition drives; she suggested 10% of electors in 30 days is a high bar and encouraged revision (for example, 5% or a longer signature-collection window). Several speakers said the bill is not partisan and that preventing unilateral sales protects low-income residents and municipal service quality.

Opponents and some legislators argued the better route is local charter revision and warned the state should be cautious about imposing a one-size remedy on towns that already have municipal controls. The transcript records testimony and questions but no committee vote or formal referral on HB 7 2 0 8.","Lawmakers heard testimony supporting HB 7 208, which would let residents trigger a referendum when a municipality proposes selling an authority, privatizing a department or selling property (non-open-space) if petitioned by a threshold share of electors. Supporters cited Ansonia and Stratford as examples; opponents urged local charter remedies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Health advocates push for public disclosure of insurer parity reports; insurers urge caution

Mashantucket Pequot leaders urge Connecticut to condemn 1638 Treaty of Hartford, seek new Capitol statue process

Lawmakers hear calls to strengthen siting council oversight and consumer advocacy after local solar array fire

Contracting Standards Board seeks statutory funding safeguards and expanded authority; unions support changes, nonprofits warn of scope creep

Union and local leaders back bill to let residents force referenda on municipal sales and privatization