Rell urged to sign health care bills

Connecticut Democrats are urging Governor Jodi Rell to sign two bills that they say will make health care available for all. But, the Governor said she is worried about the cost.

The Speaker of the House and the Secretary of the State, personally delivered two health care bills to the Governor's office, Tuesday. Bills were passed by the House and Senate that proponents say will make affordable health available for everyone in the state.

"There has to be a way that we can have affordable health care for everybody at a lower cost than what we're paying now," said Speaker of the House Chris Donovan. "And that's what these two bills do."

One bill, called 'The Partnership,' would pool state employees and retirees with municipal employees, non-profit organizations and small businesses.

"The governor needs to sign these bills, small business can't wait any longer," said Kevin Galvin of small business for health care. "Small business is the largest employer in the state and has the lease access to affordable and meaningful health care."

"Affordable, portable, accessible quality health care is the number one issue among my 18,000 members again this year," said Linda St. Peter of Connecticut Realtors Association .

The other bill is called 'Sustinet' which advocates say would save money by leveraging federal stimulus dollars and working with any new federal legislation on national health care.

The governor, who vetoed a version of the 'Partnership' proposal last year, indicated that both bills may be headed for the same fate.

"It has a huge price tag to it," said Governor Rell. "In these difficult economic times, I think that's a major concern for everyone."

The Governor would probably suggest that the most important thing for the regular session of the General Assembly should have been the budget.