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Dear Neighbor,
And we're back!
I hope you had a wonderful holiday and a great start to the new year. Our first newsletter out of the gate begins with great news for Manchester Memorial Hospital, which was recently acquired by Hartford Healthcare.
It's a big deal for the area. Scroll down for more details.
I attended a homeschooling forum in Ellington last month. I was glad I did. This is an important issue for many in Connecticut, including me. Please see below for more details.
If you haven't heard by now, Access Health CT has extended its registration deadline for coverage. You now have until the end of the month to lock in a health plan that may work for you. I've included more information below.
There is quite a bit to catch up on in this week's newsletter. Please have a look.
Have a great weekend,
Sincerely,
Patrick Biggins
State Representative
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| Hartford Healthcare's acquisition of Manchester Memorial Hospital is a significant win for the entire Manchester community and its surrounding towns, and I was proud to celebrate the moment this week with fellow legislators. |
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This is a significant step forward for healthcare in our region of the state and ensures Manchester Memorial Hospital is a reliable, accessible resource for decades to come.
“This hospital has long been a critical institution for Manchester and for the entire region. For generations, it has been a place where families turn in moments of crisis, where lives begin and are saved, and where care is delivered with compassion and professionalism.” - House Majority Leader Jason Rojas |
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I was proud to join fellow State Representatives Jaime Foster and Kevin Brown for a community conversation on homeschooling at Hall Memorial Library in Ellington last month. I want to thank those who attended and shared their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. My goal remains: to develop common sense, homeschool regulations we can all support. Stay tuned.
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Access Health CT (AHCT) has announced that the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 has been extended to Saturday, January 31.
The original deadline was January 15.
Customers who enroll now will have coverage starting February 1. Customers can also renew their coverage. |
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| Recent state and federal changes mean the amount of financial help available and who is eligible have changed. However, financial assistance is still available. |
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Access Health CT is working with state officials on a plan to implement the new state subsidy program that will lower costs for eligible Connecticut residents who purchase their health insurance through the exchange.
Some customers might qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The state subsidies will fully fund the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for consumers with incomes between 100-200% of the federal poverty level, and who are not enrolled in the Covered CT program.
The state subsidies will also replace 50% of the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for those with income over 400% of the federal poverty level and up to 500% of the federal poverty level.
AHCT is the only place Connecticut residents can get financial assistance to pay for their health insurance. |
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Generation Power CT, formerly known as Operation Fuel, has opened its Energy Assistance Program, which runs through January 10. This is the third program cycle. Eligible Connecticut households can receive a one-time grant of up to $500 to help with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill.
For the best chance of approval and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when they are most in need. After the January application period, GPCT has one remaining Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season:
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, click HERE.
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| Find out if the changes to SNAP impact you by answering a few questions. Click HERE for the pre-screener. |
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The deadline for nominations for the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) 2026 Heart of the Arts Award has been extended to January 16.
This prestigious award honors students, adults, or groups involved in high school performing or visual arts who exemplify the core values of education-based activities—integrity, citizenship, courage, and good character.
If you know someone who has shown exceptional "Heart,” gone above and beyond to support others in the school community, or overcome significant challenges, nominate them for this award!
The nomination form can be found HERE, while a playlist of past winners can be found HERE. |
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I love to read!
"Biggins Books" will highlight what I'm currently reading, all via audiobooks, and some highlights and thoughts about what I read. |
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Full disclosure? I hope that you're encouraged to pick up a book, any book, and just read. Reading is a wonderful way to relax, relieve stress, enhance brain activity, and more.
In the last few weeks, I've read:
Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
This is a great book, about a young man’s journey into adulthood and struggles with many different things, but he pushed through and figured out a way to find the positives in life.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
This is a great book about kindness and caring. This story is beautifully told about building relationships and seeing the humanity in everyone, and in seeing their humanity, you can see their best qualities. This beautiful story was a little predictable, but a story you will still love.
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| Learn more about radon, how it can affect your health, and how you can take action HERE. |
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