Rep. Sampson Opposes Efforts to Revive Obamacare in Connecticut

HARTFORD – State Representative Rob Sampson (R-80), Ranking Republican Member of the Connecticut General Assembly’s joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate, spoke out against efforts to revive Obamacare laws in Connecticut during a committee meeting on March 15th, 2018.

“Democrats are playing politics again - disguising their attempt to create a Connecticut version of Obamacare as a women’s health initiative,” said Rep. Sampson. “Don’t fall for it. The proposed bill simply adds more mandated coverages to every insurance policy sold in our state, exacerbating spiraling health insurance costs, and eliminating choice for consumers, particularly women, in what type of health insurance coverage they can purchase.”

H.B. 5210, An Act Mandating Insurance Coverage of Essential Health Benefits and Expanding Mandated Health Benefits for Women, Children and Adolescents, was brought before the committee on Thursday as legislators discussed the impact of additional insurance mandates on the state. Back in December, Congress passed a tax plan that eliminated some provisions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), such as the individual health insurance mandate. Rep. Sampson, an early opponent of ACA, said that fining residents for choosing not to purchase a product was wrong. Similarly, he believes that adding more mandates to an already over-regulated industry would not move Connecticut forward.

“Placing more mandates on insurance companies will only increase insurance costs for individuals and companies, discourage people from buying insurance products, and drive more employers out of Connecticut, creating additional unemployment,” added Rep. Sampson. Certainly, we must maintain access to quality health plans. However, consumers should have the option of choosing the coverages they feel are necessary and appropriate for them, rather than being forced to buy things they don’t want or need.”