Concerned about the rising cost of health care, the Business Council of Fairfield County convened a Health Care Leadership Council in 2004 to determine what the regional business organization's corporate members could do to control expenses and improve the health of their employers. The rapid increase in the cost of health insurance premiums comes in an era when employers are facing increased global competition and cannot raise prices to cover the increased costs of doing business.

Since its inception, the Council has broadened its scope to concentrate on the issues of health care quality, access and affordability. It develops and publishes health metrics, conducts a communications and events program to raise awareness of health issues and options, hosts best practices exchanges among health care stakeholders, educates small business owners about health insurance options and conducts a public policy advocacy program.

Today the Health Care Leadership Council is a diverse group of employers, providers, payers, and consumer advocates that has produced several policy papers on health care reform, with specific recommendations to solve Connecticut’s health care crisis. The Council has been actively engaged in the work of the Health First Connecticut Authority, the entity created by the Connecticut General Assembly to make recommendations to reform Connecticut’s health care system; the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut; and the Metro Chambers Alliance of regional business organizations.  All organizations have produced policy documents to improve access, quality and cost of the health care system that will likely find its way into legislation this year.