Updates from State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo for July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025



 

 

Last week’s passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” understandably has most of us very concerned. More than a million Connecticut residents are enrolled in Medicaid for their health care and for services addressing Intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance abuse and mental health.

Sixty-eight percent of nursing home residents in Connecticut, and 38% of children, are enrolled in Medicaid.
 
 A CT Health Foundation analysis (found here) estimates 549,000 adults could lose coverage due to work requirements. 

Here in Connecticut, 73% of adults with Medicaid already work, but many could lose coverage anyway because of difficulties reporting their work hours. And some folks who qualify for exemptions to work requirements (for example, if they have disabilities) could still lose coverage because of glitches in the reporting system, which happened in Arkansas (to learn more, please click the link here) when it implemented a work requirement in 2018.
 
I am extremely worried about the disability community. The Medicaid funding reduction will undoubtedly impact home and community based services (HCBS). A hit like this to funding for HCBS will almost certainly force states to cut back on programs that help folks with disabilities to live independently and avoid institutionalization. SNAP benefits are also going to be denied to many, disproportionately affecting our friends and neighbors with disabilities.

These issues represent only a fraction of the horrific impact this bill will have on our community and our state. As we dig in to find solutions here at the state level I will continue to work with our local Director of Social Services, Tony Phillips, to ensure that we do whatever we can to protect our most vulnerable.
 

Mental Health Parity

Governor Lamont signed legislation this week that puts patients first and holds insurance companies accountable.
 
Here’s what it does:

✔️ Caps excessive premium hikes. Allows the Connecticut Insurance Department to limit rate increases for insurers that have a track record of hiking costs.
 
✔️ Enforces mental health parity—with real consequences. Insurers must treat mental health like physical health, and those who don’t comply can face fines up to $625,000 and must publicly report how they’re doing.
 
✔️ Ends harmful “step therapy” delays. Patients with MS, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression will no longer be forced to try cheaper meds first while their condition worsens, and trial periods are also cut from 60 to 30 days.
 

Don't Get Scammed

The town is hosting "Scams, Tech, and Theft - Staying Safe in Today's World: A Presentation for All Ages: Kids, Parents, Adults, and Seniors" at the Ridgefield Library on July 15 at 6 - 7:30 p.m.

The panel -- which will consist of Andrew Neblett, Dr. Wes DeSantis and Det. Victoria Jackson -- will cover the following:

  • Local crimes and internet/phone scams
  • Digital scams
  • Keeping yourself and your children safe
  • Protecting your cellphone
  • Social media traps
  • Airport and travel safety tips
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Home Computing/WIFI Safety

Det. Ryan has been with the Ridgefield Police Department for 13 years and assigned to the Detective Bureau since 2019.

Wes DeSantis has been with Ridgefield Public Schools for 17 years, and has been the director of educational technology since 2020.

Andrew Neblett has been responsible for IT support and services for the town of Ridgefield since 2006. He is IT Director and Region 5 ESF17 cybersecurity chair.
 

Branchville Area Workshop

The Ridgefield Planning & Zoning Commission is hosting an in-person workshop to discuss the future of the Branchville area on Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. in the Main Program Room of the Ridgefield Library.

The workshop, according to the town website, will:

  • Provide background on past planning efforts in the Branchville area.
  • Offer an overview of development possibilities.
  • Give community members a platform to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about growth and land use in Branchville.
 

Summerfest

The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce is hosting 2025 Summerfest on Main Street on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

More details below.
 

Find Waldo!

Find Waldo in Ridgefield, now in its 13th year, has started and will continue through the end of the month.

Stop by Books on the Common to pick up a Waldo Passport and hunt with the kids all month long.

Find Waldo in 10 places and receive a Waldo button and sticker. Find him in 20 or more places and you’ll receive those gifts and be entered into the Grand Prize drawing on July 31.

Find Waldo Local has become a beloved summertime event in communities nationwide with hide-and-seek fun designed to encourage residents to patronize their local businesses.
 

Poop Museum in Ridgefield

Time is running out to register for the popular Poop Museum, which visits the Ridgefield Public Library on Saturday, July 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. Yes. You read that correctly.

The event is for families with children entering grades 1-6.

From the Ridgefield Library website: Susie Maguire is a poop expert who thinks poop is THE most interesting subject in the world. She has studied poop for years and loves nothing more than sharing her expansive knowledge of poop with the people of the world. At The Poop Museum, everyone learns many fantastic, fabulous and fun facts about human, animal and insect poop, many of which truly amaze and surprise. Registration is required but drop-ins -- no pun intended -- are welcome as space permits.

Register here.
 

Farmers Market!

The Ridgefield Farmers market is now weekly -- every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 5 at Jesse Lee Green, 207 Main Street.

Find organic farm fresh produce, baked goods, and specialty items alongside family activities and live music on Main Street.
 

CHIRP Concerts

Our wonderful CHIRP series continues to deliver great entertainment throughout the summer.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

Thurs. July 10: Nikki Hill
Tues. July 15: Chinobay
Thurs. July 17: Hot Club of Cowtown
Tues. July 22: Trey Wellington Band
Thurs. July 24: The Cold Stares
Tues. July 29: Junco Partners
Thurs. July 31: Sam Morrow Band
Tues. Aug. 5: The Brigideens
Thurs. Aug 7: Robert Jon & the Wreck
Tues. Aug. 12: Sue Foley
Thurs. Aug. 14: Sugaray Rayford
Tues. Aug. 19: The Georgia Thunderbolts
Thurs. Aug . 21: Susan Werner
Tues. Aug. 26: Heather Pierson Trio
Thurs. Aug. 28: John Jorgenson’s J2B2 band
 

As always, if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

Aimee Berger-Girvalo
State Representative

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