To The Editor,

When recently interviewed, Rob Blanchard is quoted as saying “we have to lower the cost of healthcare.” It’s amazing. Democrats have been complaining about healthcare since 1992. Since then, they’ve controlled the House of Representatives for 10 years, Presidency for 20, and Connecticut trifecta majority with the governor’s office for the past 16. Still, we endure this gaslighting, and its use as a wedge campaign issue, cycle after election cycle.

But we did get a break from complaining for one brief moment. For a couple months, they told us ObamaCare would solve the crisis. Blanchard was down for the struggle. In spring of 2010, when ObamaCare was forced upon us by a completely partisan vote, Blanchard was championing ObamaCare as he worked on Dan Malloy’s campaign for governor. We were told ObamaCare would save families $2,500 annually. Instead, premiums increased 133%. We were told ObamaCare would increase healthcare access, but 11% of adults remain uninsured.

When pressed, Blanchard pontificates about well-regulated MEWAs, facility fee limits, and a myriad of tried and failed government controls and targeted interference in a healthcare marketplace struggling to function. Democrats have had their hands on healthcare for over 30 years and have only made the cost and availability challenges worse. Rob Blanchard is steeped in the Democrat creed of market interference and controls. His brand of thinking delivers no solutions. He’ll continue talking about “healthcare costs” as he and his cohort cook up yet another round of controls, destined to make matters worse. This thinking will do nothing for Newtown or anyone in our state.

I’m voting for Amybeth Laroche for state senate. She’s a mom and businesswoman who will bring the principles of competition, price transparency, and accountability to healthcare and the other critical issues Connecticut is facing today.

Jen Conlon

Newtown