Cristin McCarthy Vahey

This Sunday, February 2, please join us at Wake Cup Coffee for coffee and conversation. Below you will find some updates and information from the meetings and events I have attended as your Representative and Co-Chair of Public Health.

Last week, State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell Tucker shared with the Bridgeport delegation that the State Board of Education would be voting to provide supports and guidance to the Bridgeport Board of Education. You can learn more about this action here. I have communicated with fellow delegation members and the Commissioners’ office and have spoken with Acting Superintendent Avery and Board of Education Chair Jennifer Perez about the process moving forward. I remain committed to supporting the students and teachers of Bridgeport as they seek to address the significant budget shortfalls currently impacting the district.

I joined Public Health Co-Chair Senator Anwar to receive the recommendations from Comptroller Scanlon’s Healthcare Cabinet.

We take these ideas back to the committee to determine which of the proposals, along with the close to 300 proposed bills, we will be able to hear this session. You can access the report here.

I was honored to join Public Health Vice Chair Kai Belton, leader of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, to recognize Maternal Health and Mental Health. Rep. Belton and caucus members have been working with the Hispanic Health Council to address the maternal mortality disparities that exists between black and Hispanic mothers and those who are white.

Even when controlling for income and education, these disparities persist. The Public Health Committee will be taking up a Maternal Health bill this session.

Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong and the Office of Health Strategy’s Commissioner Gifford announced a bill proposal that would help to close some of the loopholes that allowed Prospect Medical to leave three of our state’s hospitals to face bankruptcy. The Public Health Committee will continue to work in partnership with these leaders to provide guardrails around the role of Private Equity in our healthcare system.

Last week, it was an honor to host a group of Yale Primary Care residents seeking to learn more about how to advocate for public policy. The program was formerly led by Fairfielder Dr. Julie Rosenbaum and I thrilled they have continued this opportunity. If you have a group of students who would like to join us in Hartford, please reach out. We would love to have you.

January 21-27 is Radon Awareness Week. Fairfield Health Department shared that “Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas that can build up in home and buildings putting people at risk. Testing is the only way to know if there are high levels of radon in your home.” Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/radon/index.html