Lesser Touts Rebate, Joins Legislators to Talk ObamaCare

State Representative Matt Lesser (D-Durham, Middlefield and Middletown) joined other state lawmakers at a press conference in Hartford Monday detailing the benefits to Connecticut residents of the Affordable Care Act recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court's decision allows Connecticut to proceed to implement the health care law," said Lesser, a member of the legislature's Public Health Committee.

"The act will save the state government billions of dollars we normally spend caring for the uninsured. Also, this August, insurance companies will be mailing $13 million in rebates to Connecticut families. Connecticut residents who were over-billed by their insurers will see checks or credits soon averaging $124, thanks to a provision in ObamaCare."

Lesser said the court’s decision has brought hope to hundreds of thousands of families in Connecticut, who stand to benefit when the health reform law is fully implemented. It is estimated that:

• Connecticut’s uninsured population will drop by at least 170,000 people.
• The state will see its projected health care spending drop by 10% between 2011 and 2020—a savings of billions of dollars.

Among some of the ACA’s highlights for Connecticut residents:

• 42,224 state residents received a $250 rebate to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs; since 2010, Connecticut residents with Medicare have saved $44.7 million on prescription drugs.
• Last year, 422,154 state residents received free preventive services – such as mammograms and colonoscopies – or a free annual wellness visit.
• 137,452 state residents with private insurance will receive $13 million in rebates from insurance companies this summer.
• 1,386,000 state residents (including 525,000 women and 367,000 children) no longer have to worry about lifetime limits on health insurance coverage (this is especially important for cancer patients and those with chronic diseases).

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State Representative Matt Lesser is serving his second term representing the 100th Assembly District of Durham, Middlefield, Rockfall and Middletown. He is Vice Chair of the state