ROCKY HILL - A 57-year old waitress, Andrea Bryant from Manchester is the first person to apply for Connecticut's new, affordable health care plan. Bryant has applied for coverage under the Charter Oak Health Plan at Town Line Diner, where the state officials had gathered to launch the plan. It is open to those who don't qualify for existing state programs and aren't insured through an employer. "I know I can afford this, and I'll be able to go to a doctor now," said Bryant, who has been uninsured since her husband's death, two years ago.

The state expects to serve a projected 19,200 adults during the first year, increasing to 47,200 in its third year. With annual deductibles ranging from $150 to $900, Charter Oak is just right for Bryant, who earns less than $15,000 a year. She said she went into debt when she caught pneumonia and sought medical care without health insurance. Now many people like Bryant, feel that health insurance is a big thing, especially for those with small incomes.