Connecticut House Approves Long‑Term Care Insurance Transparency Bill, 146‑4

The measure cleared the chamber after a three‑minute debate, reflecting broad bipartisan support. It now moves to Governor Ned Lamont for signature.

Key facts - The bill requires insurers to file yearly reports on incurred and paid losses for Connecticut long‑term care policies. The state insurance commissioner and the governor’s budget office must share the data with legislators and post it online. - The attorney general gains authority to investigate insurers for practices that violate state law. - The insurance commissioner must study two proposals: allowing policyholders to cancel plans and receive full refunds when rate hikes exceed inflation, and assessing how the reinsurance market affects policy availability. - Over 17,000 Connecticut policyholders saw premium increases of 50% or more between January 2019 and October 2024, according to a recent analysis. - Nearly 100,000 residents hold long‑term care policies, which fund services such as in‑home care, assisted living, and nursing home stays.

What it means The legislation aims to bring accountability to an industry where insurers have repeatedly requested large rate hikes. Companies like Genworth, Metropolitan Life and Transamerica have sought five consecutive years of increases, some exceeding 90% for individual policies. By forcing insurers to disclose loss data, lawmakers hope to identify miscalculations in longevity, care costs and utilization that have driven premiums from $2,000 in 2004 to $7,000 annually for some families.

Policyholder Jan Kritzman, 78, welcomed the vote, calling it “a major step in the right direction.” She noted that her own premiums have more than tripled since 2004 and urged the insurance department to prioritize consumer protection.

Senator Matthew Lesser, a sponsor of the bill, said the law signals that the state recognizes the market’s failure to protect policyholders. If enacted, the attorney general’s investigative power could lead to enforcement actions against insurers that impose “oppressive, burdensome” rate increases.

Looking ahead The bill now awaits Governor Lamont’s decision. Watch for the administration’s response and any subsequent rulemaking by the insurance commissioner, which will shape how quickly transparency translates into lower premiums for Connecticut’s long‑term care policyholders.