The Health Care Partnership Bill (HB 5536) was delivered to Governor Rell on May 29, at which point she had 15 days to act by either signing it in to law or stamping it with a VETO. Although Governor Rell has indicated that she plans to veto the bill, she has yet to act. If you have not yet called Governor Rell to encourage her to sign the bill into law, please do so now.

As wonderful as it would be if Governor Rell could be counted on to sign the Healthcare Partnership bill, we must prepare ourselves for the the VETO she is likely to stamp on it. HB 5536 goes a long way toward increasing the affordability of health care for small businesses, municipalities, and non-profits, all of which "feel the pinch" of increasing expenses, as the Governor might say.

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HB 5536 can lower expenses for those businesses, municipalities, and non-profits who choose to participate, as Council 4 AFSCME explains:

Council 4 members have been a moving force behind HB 5536-An Act Establishing The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership. The bill would provide cost savings to municipalities, small businesses (50 or less employees) and non-profit organizations that voluntarily choose to participate, while providing quality coverage to working people.

HB 5536 would allow municipalities, small businesses and non-profit employers to join the state employee health plan, thus expanding the pool, lowering costs, providing quality coverage to more citizens — and enabling cities and towns to save money that can be used to lower property taxes and protect public services.

HB 5536 passed by significant margins in both the House and Senate:

Overriding a veto requires a 2/3 majority in both houses, which translates to 101 in favor of override in the House and 24 in favor of override in the Senate. So if every State Representative who voted in favor of passing HB 5536 votes in favor of overriding the veto, the override will pass the House. If two State Senators can be convinced to join with the 22 who voted to pass the bill, and all 24 of them vote to override, it will pass the Senate as well.

Veto overrides are extremely rare. One veto overridden in 2007 was the first since the Weicker adminstration. However, it is still a worthwhile effort to push for the override--despite their rarity--for a few reasons:

• To find out where your representatives stand on lowering the costs of health coverage for more CT workers
• To let your representatives know where you stand
• The best way to get politicians to act is to make your voice heard
• To encourage Governor Rell to listen to the people of Connecticut, and not the scare tactics of big insurance companies

Nothing rare or extraordinary is accomplished without help. You can help by contacting your State Representative and State Senator. If you don't know who either or both are, you can find out here.

When you write or call your State Rep and State Senator, tell them to override Governor Rell's likely veto of the Health Care Partnership Bill (HB 5536), and ask if they will do so.

Click here to find out how your State Representative and State Senator voted on HB 5536 , as well as contact info for both. If your State Representative or State Senator are among the 124 who voted for HB5536, you will be able to use this sample message below as a starting point:

[Senator/Representative] [Name],

As one of your constituents, I would first like to thank you for your commitment to public service and especially for so ably representing the interests of us in the [Number] [Senatorial/Assembly] District. I am particularly pleased with your vote in support of HB 5536 - An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership.

However, Governor Rell has indicated that she will most likely veto this bill, in spite of it passing through the both houses by significant majorities. Although I don't wish to take up too much of your time, I am wondering if you will stand by your vote in favor of HB 5536 and support a veto override?

Please let me know.

Sincerely,

-[Your Constituent]

Whether the answer is yes or no, you should then send an e-mail to HB5536@CCAG.net with the name of the Rep. and Senator you contacted as well as their response. I will be tracking the responses on this page, where you can also get contact information for your representatives in the General Assembly.