Cigna CEO's threat to leave Connecticut derailed public option, state official says

The CEO of Cigna threatened to leave Connecticut if the state supported a bill to create a public health insurance option, a move that killed the legislation, state Comptroller Kevin Lembo said May 29, according to the Hartford Courant.

Cigna denied that CEO David Cordani threatened to leave the state, according to the report, but did say the insurer put up a strong lobby against the proposal. Additionally, two top state lawmakers who negotiated the details of the bill didn't confirm or deny with the Hartford Courant that such a threat was made, but said strong opposition from the insurance industry, especially Cigna, stalled the public option.

Executives from Aetna, Anthem and other payers previously called on Connecticut's governor to stop legislation aimed at creating a public, state-subsidized health plan called Connecticut Option. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont supported the bill.

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