Committee advances long-term-care insurance discussion after members cite steep premium hikes
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Summary
Members moved HB 5,304 forward and urged referral to the Insurance Committee, citing constituent reports of extremely large premium increases and noting roughly 115,000 seniors could be affected; the bill seeks changes to premium-rate rules and opens dialogue with insurers.
The committee discussed HB 5,304, which concerns long-term-care insurance premium rates, and agreed to advance the bill while acknowledging it will likely be referred to the Insurance Committee for detailed oversight.
Members recounted constituent stories to illustrate the problem. Representative Darby described an example in which a constituent’s premium rose from $89 a month to $846 a month, calling the change "not fair." Representative Balinski put the scale of the issue in context, saying "The impact is a 115,000 seniors in Connecticut," and urged continued work with insurance officials.
Several members noted the committee does not directly regulate private insurers and that policy changes would require coordination with the Insurance Committee. Representative Case said the subject has been considered in human services for years and noted jurisdictional limits: "It always has to get referred to insurance," he said.
What happens next: The committee advanced HB 5,304 and members asked staff to pursue conversations with the Insurance Committee and stakeholders to build a workable approach for premium-rate relief and protections for long-term-care policyholders.