Last Call for Access Health CT, Legislative Session Set to Get Underway, and Severe Cold Weather Protocol Extended

January 30, 2026


I hope this email finds you and your family well. A final reminder that January 31 is the last day to enroll in health and dental coverage through Access Health CT. Plus, Connecticut’s Severe Weather Protocol has been extended through next week due to continued extreme cold temperatures. 

Keep reading for more information on these updates, as well as what to expect when the 2026 legislative session officially begins next week.

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

  • Access Health Deadline
  • February 4: The House is Back in Session
  • 2026 OLR Major Issues Report
  • Extreme Cold Weather Protocol Extended
  • Community Events

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at any time.

Reminder: Access Health CT’s extended enrollment deadline runs through Saturday, January 31. Customers who register or renew by this date will have health and dental coverage beginning February 1.

Connecticut is stepping up by offering financial assistance despite recent federal cuts. Some customers may 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).

Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them, including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or attending an enrollment fair. Help is available in over 100 languages.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person and over the phone.

Next week, the 2026 legislative session will officially get underway at the state Capitol. My legislative colleagues and I will begin several months of debate, deliberation, and decision-making on a wide range of key policy issues that will shape our state in the year ahead.

Watch the 2026 legislative session live on CT-N beginning Wednesday, February 4, at 10:00 a.m., with coverage of opening day. Live streams of subsequent session days and committee meetings are also available at any time.

The 2026 Office of Legislative Research Major Issues Report provides concise summaries of key topics anticipated to come before the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session.

Click on the image below to access the report. 

The forecast indicates that bitterly cold weather will persist for an extended period, with temperatures remaining well below seasonal averages through the middle of next week. This prolonged cold spell is unlike anything Connecticut has experienced in many years, raising concerns about public safety and infrastructure impacts. In response to these conditions, Governor Ned Lamont has extended Connecticut’s Severe Weather Protocol through noon on Thursday, February 5.

Please be reminded that a Bristol Warming Center at the First Congregational Church (31 Maple Street) is open seven days a week from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in addition to the below locations. Help spread the word so our community can remain safe and warm during harsh winter weather.

The Bristol Bazaar is home to over 75 local makers, unique gifts, creative workshops, and Yellow King Bristol.

Shop small, support local and explore thousands of handmade treasures in our one-of-a-kind indoor market space. Open 6 days a week (67 Race Street), click here for more information.