SB 1248, An Act Expanding Consumer Protections

TESTIMONY OF CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL LAW COMMITTEE

Friday, February 14, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 1248, An Act Expanding Consumer Protections. CHA generally supports the goal of the bill but seeks clarification of language in Section 1 to avoid consumer confusion.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems care for patients, strengthen the state’s economy, and support vulnerable communities across the state. Every day, they work to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health equity. Even as they face ongoing challenges, hospitals provide world-class care to everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospitals also support an exemplary workforce as the largest collective employer in the state, contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and invest in their communities addressing social drivers of health.

Section 1 of SB 1248 is designed to provide consumer protection against junk fees that businesses might try to unfairly charge customers. There are several specific carve-outs listed in the bill to help clarify situations that would not be considered a violation of a consumer’s rights.

We are not sure whether SB 1248 applies to hospitals or other healthcare providers’ fees, costs or charges, at all. Healthcare billing is already subject to significant regulation, transparency requirements, and oversight and, more often than not, is subject to complicated cost sharing, deductible, insurance coverage or other contingencies that are not reasonably known to the provider and which are usually outside of the provider’s control (e.g., when a patient hits their annual deductible for cost sharing before insurance picks up a payment obligation is not information the provider always has in real-time).

In order to avoid confusion, we ask that the bill be made clear that it does not apply to hospital or healthcare provider fees, charges or costs. We are interested in working with the committee to draft language that will address the very specific circumstances pertaining to the delivery of healthcare, which we do not believe to be the target of this proposed legislation.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.