Every municipality has its own plan design and some municipalities have different plan designs for different bargaining units. But I believe the state offers a good, comprehensive array of options that warrant looking at if there is potential to save money. Because this is a very complicated and innovative endeavor, my staff has set out to create as simple a strategy as possible, ensuring that down the road there are no unanticipated costs for either the state or the municipalities. The goal is to reduce health care costs for municipalities. Participation by municipalities is strictly voluntary.
Every municipality can enter into the plan.
There will be no cost increase to the state. Opening the state health plan to municipalities has captured the attention and bipartisan support of major legislative leaders. It is not very often that we in state government have the chance to help our cities and towns as directly as this program would. With no cost to the state, and voluntary participation by municipalities, this sharing of Connecticut's resources could have a significant impact on the way we all work together.