Exchange fix bill dies in Senate

The bill to bring the CT Health Insurance Exchange into compliance with federal regulations died on the Senate calendar last night as the session ended. The bill would have added two consumer and two small business representatives to the Board’s membership and given the State Health Care Advocate a vote. Currently there are no voting members representing consumers and three Board members have insurance industry backgrounds. The bill passed two committees and passed the House unanimously but was never called in the Senate. The administration has defended their appointments and the composition of the current Board. Board members are appointed by the Governor and legislative leadership. Thankfully one current member, appointed by House Republicans, is a small business owner.