Governor candidates talk health care issues

Connecticut facing rising costs, abortion questions and more

Connecticut’s health care landscape has undergone some seismic shifts this year.

More than 2,000 people died of COVID-19. The General Assembly passed a bill expanding the pool of medical providers who can perform abortions, but with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion advocates are lobbying to impose new restrictions.

Hospitals have tried to end crucial services in some corners of the state, and the consolidation of health care services has accelerated. Insurers asked for an average rate increase of 20% on 2023 health plans, and debates over a public option and the legalization of aid in dying continue to brew.

Incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, is facing two opponents in this fall’s gubernatorial election: Republican Bob Stefanowski and Independent Rob Hotaling. The CT Mirror asked the three candidates for their views on several key health care issues, including how they would approach tackling rising costs, whether they would roll back abortion rights and how they would respond to COVID-19.

The following has been edited and condensed for clarity.