Connecticut expands maternal health coverage through Husky from 60 days to twelve months after pregnancy.
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the State of Connecticut’s request to extend Medicaid (known in Connecticut as HUSKY) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for twelve months after pregnancy. According to CMS, this extension will affect approximately 4,000 Connecticut residents who would have otherwise lost coverage after 60 days.
While the majority of roughly 14,000 HUSKY clients who give birth each year remain eligible for coverage after childbirth, some clients have lost eligibility after two months. The extension of this coverage will allow all individuals twelve months of HUSKY coverage to address postpartum health needs, which may include recovery from childbirth, pregnancy complications, mental health needs, and chronic health issues. Previously, Medicaid/HUSKY only covered two months of postpartum coverage. With high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, the approval of Connecticut’s requested extension of coverage was hailed by state leaders as a big step in addressing maternal health.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services will administer this coverage extension through the HUSKY Health program. Parents enrolled in HUSKY Health will automatically receive this extended coverage. Parents not currently enrolled in HUSKY Health can apply through Access Health CT at www.accesshealthct.com or 1-855-805-4325.
$34 million in state funding to support outdoor recreation
The anticipated release of $34 million in state funding that will continue improving and increasing access to the outdoors for Connecticut residents in a number of ways was announced this week.
Among the items that are expected to be approved at this Friday’s meeting of the State Bond Commission include:
- $15 million to support repairs, maintenance, and new construction at various Connecticut State Parks statewide. (This funding is part of $51.5 million in the adopted state budget to address the backlog of state park infrastructure improvements needed across the system, augmented by $21.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds.)
- $10 million to provide open space grants for conservation and recreation purposes.
- $9 million to support improvement and expansion of recreational trails, bikeways, greenways, pedestrian walkways, and more.
In addition to this state funding, DEEP is also set to receive American Rescue Plan Act funds totaling $21.5 million, which will be used to achieve many objectives, including providing improved accessibility, improvements, and repairs to park amenities; increasing outdoor recreation and education; reducing DEEP’s infrastructure footprint; and improving water supply and sewage disposal associated with outdoor recreation facilities. The improved outdoor recreation amenities will provide healthy socialization and recreation opportunities for disproportionately impacted communities.
For more information on Connecticut State Parks, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Listing-of-State-Parks.
For more information on ParkConneCT, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Park-Connect.
For more information on the Passport to the Parks program, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Passport-to-the-Parks.
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