Matt Blumenthal

I am pleased to share some positive news regarding your healthcare options. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut and Stamford Health have reached a new multi-year contract. This new deal ensures that Stamford Hospital and other Stamford Health facilities and physician practices remain part of Anthem’s network.

As you may have heard, the two sides were without a contract for the past six and a half weeks, but Anthem members retained their coverage through a 60-day extension that was set to expire on March 1. The negotiations leading up to the agreement caused major stress and uncertainty for many patients and families, who were concerned about losing access to trusted providers. We can't let a situation like this happen again — and that's why I introduced a bill in the Government Administration & Elections Committee to do something about it.

My bill would provide a deterrent to prevent insurers from failing to negotiate in good faith with major health systems like Stamford Health. It would also help protect state and local employees from facing higher costs of losing access to in-network care at local providers. By holding insurers accountable, we can ensure patients and families are not put in this stressful position again.

Of course, healthcare costs must be controlled. But it's unacceptable for a large insurer — especially one that covers many state and local employees — to jeopardize their customers' access to their local doctors and hospitals.