Chief among those concerns was the current insolvency of the state-run municipal partnership plan, which lost $31.9 million in 2019, tripling its losses from the previous year. Due to this loss, the plan operated at a medical loss ratio of 108.4%, up from 105.2% the previous year. If a private insurer offered plans with a similar MLR, the Connecticut Insurance Department would discontinue those plans. But because the prospective public option plan would be regulated by the comptroller, not the insurance department, his office can continue to suppress premiums and operate at a loss without penalty [with taxpayers picking up the tab].