The Courant weighs in on the disastrous state of health care coverage for Connecticut working families by urging the governor to take the bold step of forming a task force [editorial, May 22, "Risky Proposition"]. That's like urging a fish to swim.

Over the past four years, what problem hasn't been met by a call by Gov. M. Jodi Rell to convene a commission or panel? Sometimes she calls for several on the same issue (such as for the lack of leadership in the Department of Transportation).

What the editorial glosses over is the voluntary nature of the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership. Some cities might not save money in the pooling plan. They don't have to join. If Anthem doesn't want to cover municipal, small business or nonprofit employees at the rates charged under the state health plan, it can refuse to participate and just keep its existing state employees and retirees.

You would think that any well-run insurance company would want more customers; but perhaps other companies might want to cover Connecticut residents.

What this is about is entities such as the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, insurance companies and their brokers who:

1. Benefit richly in the current climate.

2. Don't want anyone cutting into their plunder.

3. Are furiously lobbying Gov. Rell to protect them.

We need leadership on this issue, like that provided by the General Assembly, not another study from a blue-ribbon commission.

Michael J. O'Brien Executive Council President
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
Hartford

The writer is an employee of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.