As we move toward the end of session, you may be hearing more frequently from me because, frankly, the days are getting more packed than ever.
First, it's National Doctors' Day and I would be remiss if I didn’t share my heartfelt thanks to all of our doctors for their incredibly hard work over the last two years, especially, and also how they show up for their patients each and every day. Thank you all!
Second, it's hard to believe that we are already at the end of Women's History Month, but I wanted to take one more opportunity to say that each year, it's incredibly impressive to learn about women from history and women who are making history today. I look forward to the day when we don't have to even think about something being a first because seeing women lead is merely part of the fabric of our daily lives.
Last, as you may have heard, the Connecticut General Assembly will be hosting the first-ever CGA Kickball Classic. It's an opportunity for us to bond in a bipartisan way while raising money for a great organization, Connecticut Foodshare.
I have really enjoyed working with my colleagues on planning this event right alongside of our daily work as legislators and I hope that you will consider joining us on April 11th at 4:30 p.m. at Dunkin' Donuts Park. Details below.
TODAY IS NATIONAL DOCTORS' DAY
The daily selfless and dedicated acts performed by healthcare workers, have been highlighted throughout the pandemic. As a community, we relied on them to provide vital information and resources to help us safely navigate our unprecedented challenges.
Today is National Doctors' Day, a day where we recognize the hard work and sacrifices made by physicians – pivotal members in the healthcare community. While I want to take a moment to personally thank all Connecticut doctors for their continued support, I also want to explain how we are taking steps in the legislature to address the growing concern of a depleting physician workforce in our state.
Last week, SB 449, An Act Concerning The Recruitment And Retention Of Physicians In The State, was unanimously voted out of the Public Health committee. The goal of this legislation is to make Connecticut more attractive for working doctors by:
Creating a necessary loan forgiveness program to graduates of in-state medical schools or who have completed their medical residency at a CT hospital.
Establishing a task force to look at the impact of medical liability insurance on CT’s practice climate and physician retention.
Establishing a physician recruitment grant program to provide an incentive grant for physicians who relocate to CT, and practice full-time as a physician in the state for at least 2 years.
My colleagues and I hope that in taking these initial steps to retain doctors in the state, we are also sending a message that Connecticut honors and appreciates the vital resources healthcare workers offer to the community. Higher retention equals greater care for those in need.
WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHES COVID.GOV, ONE-STOP SHOPPING WEBSITE TO GAIN BETTER ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING TOOLS
The Biden Administration launched COVID.gov, a one-stop shopping website aimed at providing current information for vaccines, tests, treatments, masks as well as the latest COVID-19 Information. For a fact sheet and more details. Please click on the image below.
THOUGHTS FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING: PART I
As I have shared with you, the biggest focus of this session is mental health care, with an eye towards children, but also recognizing that adults are also experiencing critical needs as well. Last week, I was honored to vote HB 5001An Act Concerning Children's Mental Health out of the Public Health Committee.
To say that it is an enormous bill would honestly be an understatement. It is sweeping. It seeks to address many aspects of the challenges and barriers to mental health care. We are seeking to address provider and bed shortages, we are looking at how best to keep kids from ending up in the emergency room, providing mental health support in schools, and a host of other options.
While we don't yet know how the final bill will look, my comments below were meant to address the hope that I have and the gratitude I feel for this work that is well-informed by healthcare professionals, students, teachers, parents, social workers, and many other mental health experts.
State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw on HB5001, An Act Concerning Children's Mental Health
THOUGHTS FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING: PART II
Friday's Public Health Committee was so busy in fact, that I spoke again, this time on HB 5272, An Act Concerning Menstrual Products. For half of the population, sometimes accessing menstrual products in the moment that you need them can be challenging.
Additionally, if you are a younger person who has just gotten their period, it can also be unpredictable. This bill seeks to address access to menstrual products by placing them where you need the most in schools, in a bathroom, and not in the nurses office.
I often joke that I have a personal story for everything, but I think you'll see that in this case, it was a relevant story and necessary for the moment. And, while I did manage to mess up the name of the Disney movie, "Turning Red," I hope you'll get the gist of why this bill is necessary and helpful.
State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw on HB5272, An Act Concerning Menstrual Products
FRIDAY BEGAN WITH A VISIT TO CANTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
My Friday began the best way possible—getting to read to 5th graders at Canton Intermediate School. AFTER THE FALL by Dan Santat: Author/Illustrator — one of my favorites. The kids and I shared stories of falling down and getting back up. Impressed by how candid they were about falling off a horse, breaking limbs, and having to start again.
INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
Connecticut fully launched online casino gaming and sports betting in October 2021. While gambling may be a form of entertainment for some people, it is a harmful addiction for others.
If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, please take advantage of the resources below, which are available in Connecticut.
Resources for Program Gambling
TheConnecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) offers a free, online live chat service, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and weekends from noon to midnight. People can also call one of Problem Gambling Helplines at(888) 789-7777 or (800) 346-6238. This service offers confidential assistance 24 hours a day and can answer questions and provide referrals to clinicians across Connecticut with expertise in problem gambling. CCPG also offers print resources, news, events and training information at ccpg.org.
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) operates the Problem Gambling Services program to offer a comprehensive network of consumer-oriented problem gambling recovery services in Connecticut and fostering an environment that promotes informed choices around gambling behavior. For more information, please click HERE.
Bettor Choice Programsare gambling-specific treatment programs funded by the State of Connecticut. Services are offered at more than 16 locations in Connecticut through community agencies. Most programs offer a variety of outpatient services including: individual, group, and budget counseling for both problem gamblers and family members, psychiatric evaluation for both gamblers and family members, and couples and family counseling. To speak with a gambling counselor or find the nearest Bettor Choice Program, call (860) 344-2244 or (866) 440-4375.
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength and hope so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
Gam-Anon is a self-help organization for the loved ones of problem gamblers.
Self-Exclusion Program
The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) offers a self-exclusion program to help anyone affected by problem gambling to distance themselves from it. Self-exclusion allows people to voluntarily ban themselves from all forms of gambling in the state.
Individuals who enroll in self-exclusion are prohibited from collecting any winnings, recovering any losses or accepting complimentary gifts or services or any other thing of value from a licensee or operator. Operators in other states or countries may choose to exclude those on the Connecticut self-exclusion list from their services.
There are options to remove yourself from the self-exclusion list once you have reached the end of your selected 1- or 5-year exclusion period. If you select the lifetime self-exclusion option, you will not be able to remove yourself from the list.
Responsible Play
Gambling responsibly means knowing the risks and how to minimize them such as financial trouble, issues with friends and family or in some cases, alcohol and drug abuse while gambling. Strategies like setting a budget, taking breaks and educating yourself on how games work are just a few tips on being a safer and smarter player.
CCPG offers additional resources on gambling responsibly at responsibleplayct.org, which is done in partnership with CT Lottery, DMHAS, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos and Sportech.
Is it fun to fill out a bracket for March Madness? Yes. Can it go too far and lead to severe consequences and repercussions for you in your personal and professional life? Yes. Please utilize the resources above if the latter happens to you or someone you know.
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
Vietnam Veterans Day was Tuesday. I just wanted to say that I am grateful to all who served. Growing up near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and having a mom who lost friends and classmates meant that I learned what honor and sacrifice looked like up close.
E-BIKE DAY AT THE CAPITOL APRIL 6TH
Join the Center for Latino Progress, local bike shops, and advocates on Wednesday April 6, 11AM-1PM for E-Bike Day at the Capitol (facing Bushnell Park).
The event is in support of
Senate Bill 4, which I fully support and have spoken about publicly in favor of, would introduce vouchers to low- and middle-income residents for purchasing E-Bikes.
You can also learn about climate priorities, meet local e-bike riders, and test ride e-bikes from local bike shops.
E-Bikes can be very effective at reducing emissions from the transportation sector. E-bikes are easy to ride uphill and can be used to transport kids and groceries, making them a great way to reduce car trips.
FIRST-EVER KICKBALL CLASSIC PITS DEMOCRATS VS. REPUBLICANS IN FRIENDLY GAME AT DUNKIN' DONUTS PARK APRIL 11TH
I hope you can join us for the first-ever CGA Kickball Classic, featuring Democrats vs. Republicans for a fun time in the spirit of bipartisanship. The game will be played at Dunkin Donuts Park - the Yard Goats home stadium - on March 11th at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 with the proceeds going to Connecticut Foodshare. If you would like to purchase tickets in advance. You can do so by clicking on the image below.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHT
Did you know that Adrianne Baughns-Wallace is the first African-American television anchor in New England? How's that for Connecticut history?
