Cristin McCarthy Vahey

Happy Friday, and first day of December! Below is information about a prescription drug program event with Comptroller Scanlon, Fairfield and Bridgeport's tree lightings, and more.

Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about anything shared below.

• Fairfield Swearing In Ceremony
• Prescription Drug Discount Card Program Event with Comptroller Scanlon
• Celebrating Fairfield and CT Physical Therapists
• Center for Family Justice Legislative Breakfast
• Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Jobs in Bridgeport
• Tree Lightings This Weekend

As co-chair of the Public Health Committee, I was honored to work alongside Comptroller Scanlon to pass Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs. In addition to many other important measurers, the bill provides access to the Array Rx Prescription Drug Discount Program, now available to all Connecticut residents. On Monday, December 11 from 11am-1pm at the Bigelow Senior Center in Fairfield, please join the State Delegation and Comptroller Scanlon to learn more about how you can save up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in Connecticut.

The ArrayRx program is now OPEN. There is no cost, age restriction, or income restriction to join. To sign up, please click HERE.

Visit the ArrayRx website and enter your name, email address, birth date, home address, and zip code. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.

For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com

On Wednesday, I joined the American Physical Therapy Association, Connecticut, for their annual event and was pleased to be honored as a legislative champion alongside long time physical therapist, state and national leader, and my neighbor, Vic Vaughan. Vic was honored together with Hank Balavander, whose son Brett, a fellow Fairfielder, was also in attendance. My son and Hank’s grandson were in pre-school and are now in high school together. Sacred Heart PT professor and another Fairfielder, Chris Petrocino, was present, and he was not the only one. Turns out Fairfield had a great showing of both professionals and family members.

Why do I share all of this with you? Because Wednesday night was a reminder that we are connected to one another and rely on one another. Anyone who has had to rely on a physical therapist as I have had to this past year knows how important their role is.

This year in the legislature we passed the Physical Therapy Compact making it simpler for physical therapists to practice across state lines and increasing access to providers for patients. I was proud to partner with our local PTs along with statewide advocates to accomplish the goal of making Connecticut a member state.

This week, I joined area leaders at the Center for Family Justice to discuss prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence and how we support survivors. With an increase of 32% in the number of clients served, the Center has provided services to over 5,500  individuals, a number which swells to 11,600 when you include prevention programming.

Both Executive Director Deb Greenwood and Lisa Andrews of the CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence shared that the most significant need they have is access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for their clients, who need to escape dangerous and life threatening situations. Beth Hamilton of the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence shared that during the pandemic there was a 33% increase in the number of children disclosing abuse.

With federal VOCA funding unstable and ARPA funds allocated through 2025, these organizations will be seeking a long term, stable funding source in order to provide services to survivors and as they say work themselves out of a job. I will continue to partner with all three of these organizations to assure our survivors have the resources they need.

Today I joined the Governor, LT Governor, fellow legislative leaders, and leaders from the University of Bridgeport and Advance CT to welcome Nanoramic Laboratories to Bridgeport. This “energy storage innovator” is working on “low-cost electric vehicle batteries with a reduced carbon footprint.”

With the support of the US Department of Energy and through the work of Advance CT, Nanoramic chose Bridgeport to house their business. It was inspiring not only to hear about this new technology, but the opportunity for 200 + jobs and economic development, the future of which would be solidified with the passage of the new emissions standards. Founder Dr. John Cooley spoke of the welcoming support provided by the state as well as the talent pool. Welcome!

Both Fairfield and Bridgeport have Tree Lighting Events this weekend. Join the Fun!