Cristin McCarthy Vahey

Dear Neighbors,

Since I last wrote, actions taken in Washington have dominated many conversations in the news media, around kitchen tables, and here in Hartford.

State agencies, nonprofit providers and individual residents have shared uncertainty and, in some cases, significant concern.

As your representative, I remain focused on advancing many of the policy priorities I hear from all of you. In this e-mail, I will share a few of those items in the news, some of the many events and meetings I have had, and focus on just a couple of the issues we are addressing here in the legislature.

Following Congressional votes, Medicaid funding for states is one of the areas of uncertainty and concern. Here are few facts about Medicaid in Connecticut:

• Our current federal Medicaid payment is over $6 billion. The total state budget for the current fiscal year for all state agencies is approximately $26 billion
• Medicaid is the health insurance provided to almost 1 million Connecticut residents, including 1 in 5 adults ages 19-64, and 3 in 8 children
• Two-thirds of adults receiving healthcare through Medicaid are working
• 2 out of 3 Connecticut nursing home residents and their families are paying for that care with Medicaid benefits

Last week, the Governor and Commissioner of the Department of Social Services reported that Medicaid cuts could range from $500 million to up to $2 billion depending on the decisions made in Washington. These cuts would deeply impact many of the children and families who rely on Medicaid for everything from wellness visits to specialty consultations, and mental healthcare.

The recently-completed Medicaid rate study showed that our provider reimbursement rates are below neighboring states and have not been raised in decades in some cases. Last month, the legislature announced a proposal to raise rates for certain providers to assure access to care.

Loss of primary prevention means an increase in emergency department visits, resulting in costlier care - a burden the state pays. Federal cuts at the level being contemplated will shift budget calculations for every state agency. The legislature, along with the executive branch agencies, will continue to monitor this situation.

In some good budget news, last week the Legislature passed $40 million in special education funding to address excess costs for school districts and $3 million to fund our non-profits impacted by federal funding freezes and pauses. Of that special education funding, Bridgeport will receive nearly $1.9 million in special education funds, and Fairfield nearly $465,000 for the current fiscal year.

Last week, the legislature also passed a bill to allow Connecticut hospitals in bankruptcy to have an expedited Certificate of Need process, a regulatory requirement for any change of ownership.

Three Connecticut hospitals are currently in bankruptcy and will be sold in accordance with the requirements of the bankruptcy court. As public health co-chair, I worked alongside the Governor's office and Office of Health Strategy to help pass the bill.

Since the Governor released his budget last month, I and fellow Appropriations Committee members have heard from hundreds of residents, providers, and businesses about their budget priorities. As co-chair of the Public Health Committee, I continue to lead meetings and hearings and have joined my colleagues from Transportation for hearings and informational forums.

I have spoken at press conferences and Capitol events covering Alzheimers, Female Genital Mutilation, Reproductive Healthcare, Heart Disease, Pancreatic Cancer, Maternal Health, Homelessness, Rare Diseases, Doctor and Provider issues, Overdose Prevention, and more. The work as Public Health chair continues.

I have met with many of you in the community and here in Hartford and joined events with our universities, our libraries, Mozaic Senior Living, St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and Fairfield Chamber, CT Main Street and Preservation Connecticut, the Greater CT Youth Orchestra, our LGBTQ+ community, Connecticut Institute for Refugee and Immigrants, the ACLU, Southwest Community Health and more. I have met with many of you here at the Capitol and at home.

Together with my colleagues from Bridgeport and Fairfield, I meet regularly with city and town local leaders to discuss issues from the Aquarion water sale, energy prices, biosolids, municipal solid waste, school governance and funding, and complete streets to name a few.

Many of you have read news reports regarding the $32 million budget shortfall faced by the Bridgeport Public Schools. In response, the Connecticut Department of Education has appointed a four-member Technical Assistance Team to provide guidance on financial management, district operations, and academic priorities.

The State Board of Education has also mandated the Bridgeport Board of Education to undertake training regarding governance. School officials have communicated information to the community and public and stakeholder input has begun. Residents are encouraged to join the conversation by attending Board of Education meetings and having your voice heard. You can read more in articles in both the CT Mirror and CT Post.

Last week, the Insurance Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 10, which includes language from HB 6145 which I introduced with over sixty of my fellow legislators. This bill would assure Mental Health Parity laws already on the books are being followed by our insurance companies. I join the The Mental Health Parity Coalition in taking this important step in addressing barriers to receiving mental healthcare in our state. Fairfielder Loretta Jay, a long time champion testified before the committee, outlining why this legislation is so important.