Opening Day, Committee Assignments, Prospect Medical Bankruptcy, Farm Survey, & More

January 15, 2025


Last week was a whirlwind of activity - the Class of 2025 was sworn in on Wednesday and we held our first Veterans' Committee meeting on Thursday. 

As you likely heard, over the weekend, Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Rockville General Hospital and Manchester Memorial Hospital, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. We understand that the hospitals will remain open and Attorney General William Tong said at a press conference on Monday that Prospect Medical will be held accountable and will take legal action if necessary. The most important thing at this moment is to ensure that patients are cared for and that the institutions are strong and viable. More information can be found below.

Local farmers/producers - The Department of Agriculture has a farm loss survey they ask you to take part in. The deadline is this Sunday, and more information can be found in this e-newsletter.

I hope you're having a great week!

Jaime

In this newsletter, you'll find:
  • Opening Day 2025
  • Committee Assignments
  • How to Get Involved in the Legislative Process
  • Farmers' Survey
  • Prospect Medical Update
 
Opening Day 2025
As a member of what was colloquially known as the “COVID Class,” it was a pleasure to be sworn in with my whole family in attendance this year.

Four years ago, on January 6, 2021, amongst a frenzy of texts from concerned friends and family, I was sworn in outside the Capitol Building, in the frigid cold, with family viewing remotely.

It’s truly an honor to serve the people of Ellington, East Windsor, and Vernon and to represent the state of Connecticut. I'm also incredibly grateful for the opportunity bestowed on me by Speaker Matt Ritter and Majority Leader Jason Rojas to Chair the Veterans and Military Affairs committee.

I was incredibly grateful to be joined and supported by my husband Aaron, and my two kids (who enjoyed the festivities as much as we did)! 

 
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
I'm honored and thrilled to share that I've been appointed as the House Chair of the Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee. I want to thank Speaker Matt Ritter and Majority Leader Jason Rojas for entrusting me with this chairmanship. I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner - and with veterans - to create legislation that gives Connecticut veterans the thanks they are due.

Please feel free to reach out to my office if you need help on a veteran's issue or have suggestions on veteran-related legislation. 

My committee assignments for the 2025-26 legislative term are:

  • House Chair, Veterans' & Military Affairs Committee
  • Member, Banking Committee
  • Member, Energy & Technology Committee
On Thursday, the Veterans' & Military Affairs Committee held its first (organizational) meeting. I'm excited for the opportunity to lead this committee, along with Senate Chair Paul Honig, Ranking Members Senator Jeff Gordon and Rep. Mark Anderson, House Vice Chair Hubert Delany, and Senate Vice Chair Matt Lesser

You can learn more about the committee here - https://cga.ct.gov/va/

 
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
My colleagues and I will tackle several important issues over the next 5 months. 

It's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

  • The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and their staff. Part of their duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. Click HERE to check out their website. You can read the OLR Major Issues for the 2025 Legislative Session HERE.
  • You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website
  • Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings and House and Senate floor debates. 
  • You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress. 
  • Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can ensure all voices are heard. 

 
 
FARMERS' SURVEY 
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) seeks farmer participation in a brief survey regarding weather-related losses during 2023 and 2024. Your input helps determine the funding request we will submit to the federal government to assist with these losses and guide which types should be included.

On December 20, 2024, a Continuing Resolution was signed into law, securing $220 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide block grants to eight eligible states, including Connecticut. This funding aims to compensate producers for losses and expenses resulting from weather events in 2023 and 2024. Each state must estimate its losses and develop a fund distribution plan.

The survey asks about specific weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024 and long-term stresses exacerbated by weather conditions in these two years. Examples of losses include, but are not limited to:

  • Production losses
  • Damage to infrastructure (e.g., buildings, hoop houses, fences, roads)
  • Increased production costs due to pressure from invasive species
  • Losses due to soil contamination
  • Physical damage to cropland
  • Increased input costs, such as feed

Comprehensive data is needed to accurately assess the scope of losses and inform the funding request. You're encouraged to complete the survey, even if you have already received grants, loans, or insurance for the losses listed. These payments will be considered when the program application is launched.

You can click the links above or click the graphic below to reach the survey.

The survey will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 19.

 
PROSPECT MEDICAL UPDATE 
Late Saturday night, Prospect Medical Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This company owns three hospitals in our state - Rockville General Hospital and Manchester Memorial (both ECHN facilities) and Waterbury Hospital. 

Although this news seemed an inevitability and a sign of worsening conditions, it is my understanding the hospitals will remain open during this process. The Department of Public Health will continue to monitor health and safety. And, as part of the bankruptcy process, Prospect will be expected to stay current on wages, benefits, and paying vendors.

We anticipate being regularly updated by executive branch agencies in their oversight capacity.

On Monday afternoon, the Governor, Attorney General, DPH Commissioner, Mayors of Waterbury and Manchester, staff from Manchester Memorial Hospital, and the ECHN Hospital Administrator held a press conference to talk about the weekend's developments. All noted that the hospitals will remain open and prepared to handle any emergency. 

Here’s the governor’s statement:

“The administration has been preparing for the possibility that Prospect Medical Holdings would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The three hospitals remain open, and we will continue to hold Prospect accountable to provide quality care to the communities that rely on these institutions.

“We have a cross-agency team in place to ensure hospital operations continue uninterrupted and that employees and vendors continue to be compensated, as required by court orders. As part of this response, we are in touch with management at these local hospitals, representatives for hospital staff, and local elected officials.

“Our number one priority remains maintaining safety and quality of care at Prospect’s three Connecticut hospitals. We currently have an independent monitor overseeing operations at Waterbury Hospital and will increase oversight at Manchester Hospital. We will continue to work to evaluate opportunities to transfer these institutions to a new operator.

The state will be monitoring the situation closely and intends to participate in court proceedings to the extent necessary to protect the interests of patients, employees, and creditors.”