SENATOR HWANG PRAISES BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2025

GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS SB 10 INTO LAW: SENATOR HWANG PRAISES BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY

HARTFORD, CT – In a major step forward for healthcare reform in Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont today ceremoniously signed Senate Bill 10, An Act Concerning Health Insurance and Patient Protection, into law. State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield), who played a leading role in the bipartisan effort to pass the bill, praised the legislation as a landmark achievement in the pursuit of affordable, transparent, and patient-centered care.

“This bill is now law because we chose collaboration over conflict and progress over partisanship,” said Senator Hwang. “SB 10 is a reflection of responsible compromise in pursuit of the greater good. It addresses rising healthcare costs while preserving innovation, protecting patients, and respecting the financial realities facing Connecticut families and businesses.”

Now enacted, SB 10 brings several forward-thinking reforms to Connecticut’s healthcare landscape, including:

• Containment of excessive healthcare costs and stronger regulatory oversight of insurer practices.
• Mandatory reporting by health carriers on mental health and substance use disorder treatment, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
• Expanded use of step therapy protocols for chronic illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis—offering clinically sound and cost-effective treatment pathways.
• Prohibitions on arbitrary restrictions for essential services, including anesthesia and other medically necessary care.
• A benchmarking system that tracks healthcare cost drivers and ties rate filings to affordability metrics.

“Mental and behavioral health are not optional—they are foundational to overall well-being,” Hwang added. “This law ensures more equitable access to care for serious conditions such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. These are life-altering challenges that demand a healthcare system built on compassion, clinical excellence, and affordability.”

A major highlight of the law is its requirement for greater transparency in hospital-based outpatient facility fees. SB 10 mandates clear, upfront disclosures, comparisons to Medicare rates, and defined patient rights to fee reductions—steps designed to prevent surprise medical bills and empower consumers.

“This is about putting patients first—giving them the information they need to make informed decisions, and ensuring they are treated fairly,” said Senator Hwang. “We achieved this through smart, targeted reform—guided by data, driven by compassion, and grounded in fiscal responsibility.”

Senator Hwang emphasized that SB 10’s passage and enactment prove what is possible when policymakers engage in honest, constructive dialogue.

“This new law is proof that when we work together, across the aisle and in good faith, we can enact real solutions that improve lives,” he said. “I will continue to fight for a healthcare system that is affordable, accountable, and focused on the people it serves.”