Maria Horn

This is my State Capitol update for the week of December 9. If you would rather watch than read, check out the link at the bottom of the page.

Predictably, December is whipping past.  For me, the days are filled with committee hearings and meetings with advocates in Hartford, legislative breakfasts and dinners with local organizations (all looking ahead toward the official start of session on February 5), and regional events taking a moment to celebrate the holiday season. Yesterday began with a 7:30 am legislative breakfast in Terryville, so I was up early and got to enjoy the full moon lighting up the recent picturesque snowfall still clinging to tree branches and hillsides. I felt lucky to be up and about.  
 
Healthcare Enrollment
 
The deadline for open enrollment to Access Health CT plans is this Sunday, December 15^th. If you are looking to pick up health insurance or need to change your existing plan you must do so before Sunday.
 
Access Health offers enrollment fairs where you can ask questions of experts and also find out what plan best fits your needs and price range. Thanks to a grant from the Foundation for Community Health, Cornwall resident Janet Carlson is offering help to residents in our district at The Union, 415 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall.  Advisors will be there on Saturday 12/14 from 10 am – 1 pm, and on Sunday 12/15 from 11 am to 1 pm.
 
All Access Health plans include coverage for important essential health benefits to keep you and your family healthy. Among these benefits are: annual checkups, vaccinations and shots, prescription drug coverage, pediatric care including dental and vision for children, well baby care, and numerous other expected and unexpected medical services.
 
Please bring following information for yourself and anyone else you plan to include for coverage:

•Dates of Birth
•Social Security numbers
•Visa, green card or immigration documents
•Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, Form 1099
•Current insurance coverage
•Pay stubs, Profit & Loss statements or other employment info confirming income for everyone in your tax household
 
Everyone needs health insurance so make sure you compare coverage and sign up.

 

Upcoming Events
 
December 14 marks the 7-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. We will never forget the 26 people we lost that day: Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Rachel Davino, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Ana M Marquez-Greene, Dylan Hockley, Dawn Hochsprung, Madeline F. Hsu, Catherine V. Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, James Mattioli, Grace McDonnell, Anne Marie Murphy, Emilie Parker, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Victoria Soto, Benjamin Wheeler, Allison N Wyatt.
 
Many scholarship programs, nonprofits and other organizations have been set up in the intervening years by victims’ loved ones.  Click here to see a list. This heartbreakingly violent event also led to powerful activism focused on preventing future tragedies, helping Connecticut to pass some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country.  Some of the organizations include:

• Sandy Hook Promise, which protects children from gun violence with programs that work.
• The Newtown Foundation, which helps ensure that Newtown is remembered as a place that fosters positive cultural change to end gun violence in America.
• Newtown Action Alliance:  which works to reverse the escalating gun violence epidemic in this nation through the introduction of smarter, safer gun laws and broader cultural change.

 
In a powerful and related piece of news, Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden is beginning the process of divesting the state’s pension funds from five civilian gun manufacturers. Click here to learn more.
 
Cities and towns throughout the state will hold vigils to remember this tragic event.  In Salisbury, a vigil will take place on Saturday on the White Hart green at 5:00 pm
 
 
 
Taking Care During the Holidays
 
The holiday season can be joyous, but it can also be challenging for those who may have lost loved ones in the past year.  There are many resources for handling this delicate situation, including advice on how to give yourself time and space. This link: http://bit.ly/Holiday_Coping will provide you with some ideas about how to handle the next few weeks. There is also a  Ted Talk about moving forward with grief, instead of following ‘advice’ to move on.
 
As a break from the frantic pace of the holidays, try a visit to your local library to find some peace and quiet during the season.  Click here to find one near you.
 
 
Keep Warm
 
There are warming centers opening throughout the state. The 211 of Connecticut website also has information about Homeless Youth Drop-In Centers.
 
Volunteers Needed
 
From preparing and serving / delivering food (including bag lunches for children) to administrative office work; helping link people with providers and organizing games at Senior Centers, there are many opportunities to give those who need it a helping hand.
Click here for more information.
 
Happy Birthday National Guard!
Today is the U.S. National Guard’s Birthday! Established in 1636, it is the oldest military organization. The National Guard was established as an army or citizen-soldiers who could be called upon to serve when needed. Thank you for your service.

It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HMHkHHciXU&feature=youtu.be