Connecticut Senate approves state health insurance pooling bill

The Connecticut Senate has voted early to give final legislative approval to a Democratic bill permitting municipalities, nonprofits and small businesses to join the state employee health insurance pool. While the state budget director has warned legislators that his office's research sees added costs for the state and little or no savings for municipalities, labor unions were happy with the decision. Union representatives said the pool is a way to respond to soaring healthcare costs and to expand quality, affordable coverage to more citizens.