Transcribed from the CT-N video recording of the Appropriations Committee Meeting and Public Hearing with state agencies on the Governor's proposed budget adjustments - February 15, 2008:

"...I have to take this opportunity to just express my displeasure about Charter Oak with you because I may not have another opportunity.  I think the thing that is disturbing me the most is the fact that you have no mental health parity in the RFP bid...I understand the rationale, I understand all of what you are thinking but the problem is it's not the law in the state so I'm struggling with how a commissioner of a large agency that has responsibility for these issues can intentionally put out an RFP to solicit bids in direct contravention of a  statute.  And I don't know how you were authorized to do that.  Apparently you did it.  And you are now going to get some responses and people are going to accept proposals to offer insurance for Connecticut families that are out of compliance with the policy of this state.  And I'm very frankly concerned about that because now we're on this real long slippery road."

...

Michael P. Starkowsky, Commissioner, Department of Social Services:

"...We were advised by the Department of Insurance that based on the plan having a public subsidy...so once we decided that we were going to subsidize the plan for those low income individuals that the requirements in the statutes as they exist right now did not apply. They apply to commercial products and not to the state products..."

Hamm:

"Did you run it by the AG's office or just the Department of Insurance?"

Starkowsky:  

"No, we did not run it by the Attorney General's office."