It’s smart. It’s right. It’s time.

What is SustiNet?

SustiNet is a proposal

for a new state law that will make high quality,

affordable health care available to you

regardless of pre-existing conditions, job changes, self-

employment, divorce or

other changes in your life.

It is a new, smart way to help solve Connecticut’s health care crisis by

expanding access and coverage, controlling costs and improving the

quality of health care.

No one is required to

get SustiNet health care coverage.

You can

choose to keep the

insurance

plan you have now.

But under

SustiNet, you can

keep the doctors you now have and

get comprehensive

coverage, including mental and dental benefits.

It was created by

a team of national experts led by the Urban Institute with input from a

diverse group of Connecticut residents.

Who is it for?

SustiNet is available to any

Connecticut resident who needs

affordable health care.

SustiNet is a public

policy proposal for a new state law that will make

excellent, affordable health care available to

you regardless of pre-existing conditions, job

changes, divorce or other

changes in your life.

Any Any Connecticut Connecticut residentresident who needs it can enroll: who needs it can enroll:

People People withoutwithout health coverage, health coverage, withwith coverage but coverage but can’t can’t afford afford it, or it, or inadequate inadequate coverage coverage through through their their

employersemployers. .

How does it work?

SustiNet has the purchasing

power to pay doctors and hospitals

properly, and to negotiate more

affordable prescription programs.

SustiNet’s emphasis on prevention, better

management of chronic illnesses and use of

electronic medical records all help reduce cost.

A public-private

partnership will

run SustiNet. A board

representing patients,

physicians, other

health providers, small and large

businesses, and

organized labor will provide oversight and direction of

SustiNet.

SustiNet is overseen by an independent

public-private board that reports to the public.

How much does it cost?

Without SustiNet, the state government will

spend over $3 billion on health care. Health care

costs will continue to rise faster than wages,

more families and businesses will be unable to

afford coverage, and the number of people with

poor or insufficient coverage will rise.

With

SustiNet,

which covers

everyone,

brings spiraling costs under

control and

saves households and businesses money, the state would

spend an

additional $950 million on health care in

2014.

For an investment of $950 million, Connecticut can sustain the

good health we need to thrive as a people and economically as a state. Connecticut would also benefit from

$800 million in

new federal funds.

How affordable will health care be?

On average,

SustiNet participants

will save

$875 or

more a year in

health care costs.

Small businesses will spend

less than they do

today to

cover their workers.

SustiNet controls

costs and

saves

businesses money.

How does SustiNet improve quality & make health care affordable?

It drives down costs by

improving how people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension or asthma are

treated. A one-stop “home” for all medical care

assists those with chronic conditions to better manage their health.

Coverage

encourages preventative screenings

and early

detection of

problems.

Public health programs to reduce

obesity and promote smoking

cessation help prevent chronic illness.

Tests and

procedures ordered are

timely and appropriate

to care.

Better sharing of

information improves

quality and reduces costly

mistakes.

When will SustiNet be available?

Who pays for SustiNet?

Why is SustiNet important for Connecticut?

Our current

health care system is

failing too

many people.

It is on

“life support” and in danger of collapsing.

Health insurance

premiums are

rising faster than wages in our state.

SustiNet will decrease premium and co-

pay costs. Everyone in the

state will

benefit from

cost-savings.

SustiNet will also put Connecticut at the front of the

line for federal resources. It

has been in

development for more than two years and is

ready to go.

for more information log onto:healthcare4every1.org

290 Pratt Street

Meriden, CT 06450P (203) 639-

0550F (203) 639-

0519universalhealthct.org