Cost stops the proposal dead in its tracks:

Without a cost affixed to it, the so-called single-payer plan was approved 12-7 by the legislature’s insurance committee last month. It is awaiting action by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis estimated the costs at $11.8 billion to $17.7 billion, depending on variables. Gov. M. Jodi Rell has proposed a state budget of $17.5 billion.

The estimate sent shock waves through the state Capitol Monday, prompting key legislators to say that passing universal health care this year is unrealistic.

(via a reader tip)