Senator Jeff Gordon Welcomes Resolution of UnitedHealthcare – Hartford HealthCare Contract Dispute, Calls for Stronger Patient Protections

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock), a practicing Hematology-Oncology physician and advocate for patient-centered healthcare, today welcomed the resolution of the contract dispute between UnitedHealthcare and Hartford HealthCare. The agreement ensures that thousands of Connecticut residents will maintain uninterrupted access to their doctors, hospitals, and critical medical services. However, Sen. Gordon emphasized that this latest standoff underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to further protect patients from future disruptions.

“This agreement is welcome news, even though it went to the last minutes to be resolved, but the fact remains: patients should never be used as bargaining chips in contract negotiations between insurers and hospitals,” said Sen. Gordon. “For too long, these disputes have left families anxious, vulnerable, and uncertain about their medical care. Can you imagine someone getting chemotherapy for cancer and then having to wonder if the care will continue if a contract dispute misses a deadline and now care might be out of network?  We need policies that protect patients and ensure lasting continuity of care, no matter what happens behind closed doors.”

As a physician and legislator, Sen. Gordon has been a leading voice in the fight for patient rights and healthcare access. To prevent similar crises in the future, he has introduced multiple bills aimed at strengthening patient protections.

S.B. 445: An Act Concerning Patient Choice and Continuity of Care During Health Insurance Contract Disputes – This bill would allow patients to switch insurance providers without penalties, increased costs, or coverage gaps if their current plan suddenly deems their doctor out-of-network due to a contract dispute.

S.B. 454: An Act Requiring Health Insurers to Allow a Covered Person to Terminate Coverage and Procure Alternate Health Insurance Without Penalty When Their Health Care Providers Are Designated Out-of-Network – This legislation would ensure that patients can transition to a new insurer without financial penalties or coverage interruptions when disputes occur.

“These legislative bills are about one thing: putting patients over profits,” Sen. Gordon said. “People with serious illnesses, chronic conditions, pregnancies, and other ongoing treatments cannot afford delays, uncertainty, or unexpected out-of-network costs. The passage of these reforms would bring much-needed stability to our healthcare system and put the focus where it belongs—on patient care.”

Sen. Gordon called on his colleagues in the General Assembly to take immediate action on these measures to ensure Connecticut residents never face another situation where their access to essential medical care hangs in the balance.

“We’ve seen these contract disputes many times before and we’ll see them again many times,” Sen. Gordon said. “I will continue fighting to make sure that patients always come first.”