Lowering Your Prescription Drug Costs

September 18, 2023


With summer behind us, I’m turning my attention to the next session and making plans for legislative action. If you have an idea for a great bill to help our neighbors or our state, I’d love to hear from you.

I'm also looking forward to returning to the Capitol in the coming weeks for Judiciary Committee public hearings to consider the governor's new Supreme Court nominee. That will be followed by a special session for a potential judicial appointment and to consider and vote on moving up Connecticut's Presidential Primary day.

Meanwhile, as a result of legislation we passed last Session, Connecticut is about to take a transformative step toward making prescription drugs more affordable for everyone. Please read below to see how you can get a discount on your medication.

You can click on any of these links to jump to that section of the email:
 
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
On October 2, all Connecticut residents will be eligible to sign up for ArrayRx, a prescription drug discount card program that provides up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state.
 
You need a valid physical Connecticut address and an email address to enroll. A digital card will be provided after registering.
 
The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, which I proudly supported.
I highly encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity. Residents should never have to worry about accessing the lifesaving care they need, and this free program is a massive leap forward.
 
I'm thrilled ArrayRx is coming to Connecticut, and I will continue the fight to lower healthcare costs for all. Click the button below for more information on ArrayRx.
Learn More About ArrayRx
 
UConn Reaching New Heights!
I want to give UConn a huge shout out after the university took a massive jump in the Wall Street Journal’s list of 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. I’m proud that our flagship university is getting recognition for excellence, and I’m proud of the work we did at the legislature to support UConn in the 2023 session. It doesn’t hurt that I’m now a UConn mom this year! I’m grateful to have a public university option that delivers for our students.
 
Apply Now For Energy Assistance Programs

The application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is open. CEAP provides vulnerable state homeowners and renters with crucial support for the associated costs with heating their homes.

Applications for the 2023-2024 winter season must be received by May 31, 2024. If you are interested, there are several ways to apply:

  1. Visit ct.gov/heatinghelp
  2. Call your local community action agency and request application assistance or schedule an in-person appointment (Click here for the list of phone numbers)
  3. Download and complete the CEAP application. Mail the completed application and required documents to your local community action agency. (Click here for the list of mailing addresses)

Additional information on the application process can be obtained by visiting ct.gov/heatinghelp or calling 2-1-1. 

Basic benefits toward heating bills range from $180 to $530 depending on income, size of household, and need. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which equates to roughly $79,910 for a family of four. These benefits are usually paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for multiple free tank refills.

I want to spread the word that this resource is available to our most vulnerable community members.
 

You can also get help paying paying utility bills thanks to Operation Fuel. The organization provides emergency energy and utility assistance to households in Connecticut that are facing financial crisis. Applications for energy assistance are now open through November 10th!

You can learn more at operationfuel.org/gethelp.
 
Support For Women-Owned Businesses

Time is running out to apply for the next round of the Women's Business Development Council’s (WBDC) Equity Match Grant Program. The deadline is September 27.

The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in Connecticut that have been in business for two or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million.
Since the start of the program, WBDC has distributed 216 grants of over $2 million to women-owned businesses in Connecticut.
Click Here To Learn More About the Program
 
Community Events
Celebrate the Valley is back for another year from September 21-23, 2023 at Salmon Brook Park in Granby. There will be carnival rides, games, a dunk tank, battle of the bands, business & health expo, food trucks, a beer & wine Garden, live music, a car show, fireworks, and more.
 
Get ready for the Simsbury-Granby Rotary’s Simsbury River Run on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10AM! The event features 5K and 10K races as well as 1 mile and 1/2 mile kid's races. The course features a fast, flat, scenic loop along the Farmington River passing historic homes and rustic farms, starting and ending at Simsbury Meadows!
Click Here To Register
 

The Simsbury Historical Society (SHS) is hosting its annual Scarecrow Day event on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10 A.M. - 3 P.M. with a rain date of Sunday, September 24. The SHS supplies all of the frames, clothing, faces, and straw for your scarecrow.

$20 for the first scarecrow; $15 for each additional scarecrow. No pre-registration needed.

Click here to email the event organizers or call the Simsbury Historical Society at (860) 658-2500 if you are interested.