Connecticut officials are calling for major changes in how rate increases are granted on individual health insurance policies. "Consumers must be empowered to stop chronic colossal rate hikes," said Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who was joined by Kevin P. Lembo, the state healthcare advocate, and lawmakers. The heart of the reforms they're seeking is a rule that rate hikes must be "reasonable," rather than simply "not excessive," as the current rule is written.