House Republican Press Release

July 15, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. GIBBONS: NEW STATE HEALTHCARE PLAN AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS

State Rep. Lile Gibbons (R-Greenwich) today reminded area residents that the state is accepting applications for the Charter Oak Health Plan.  The plan provides affordable health care for Connecticut’s uninsured adults who are too old for HUSKY (ie. age 18) and too young for Medicare (ie, age 65).  It is the first health plan in the nation for the uninsured that does not have income limits, employer mandates nor exclusions for pre-existing qualifications.

A toll free hotline, 1-877-77-CTOAK (1-877-772-8625), is in place for the public to get more information about Charter Oak.  The line is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Additional information and the Charter Oak application can be found at www.charteroakhealthplan.com 24 hours a day.

The state began accepting applications for the plan on June 30. It is based on a public-private partnership model that strikes a balance between individual responsibility and government assistance for the lowest-income participants. Individual premiums beginning at $75/month and annual deductibles will be on a sliding scale depending on the household income and size with the state contributing premium assistance. Higher income participants will have their monthly premium capped at $259/month. Annual deductibles will range from $150 to $900.   

“Lack of health insurance remains a major problem for many people in our area,” said Rep. Gibbons. “From college graduates whose college plan ends upon graduation to adults whose employers do not provide them with health insurance, they will find this state plan an unique opportunity to receive health benefits without additional burdensome costs.”