Access Health Enrollment Period Extended, Upcoming Kwanzaa Event, and More!

December 17, 2025



 

View this email in your browser

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful week. 

Please read below for information on new laws going into effect in the New Year, a Kwanzaa event in Norwalk, and more! 
 

New Laws in Effect January 1, 2026

As we welcome a new year, several laws passed in the last legislative session will take effect on January 1, 2026.

These new measures address key issues impacting our state and its residents, including expanded incentives for farmers, strengthened protections for workers in sensitive professions, and improved reporting requirements to better track higher education enrollment, post-secondary credits, and student opportunities.

We took a major step forward in advancing policies that support new, diverse housing options across Connecticut. With some of the highest housing costs in the region, too many individuals and families are being priced out of the communities where they work, where they grew up, and where they hope to retire. 

Preventative health care continues to be a priority because early detection saves both lives and long-term costs. To support this, we now require health insurers to cover certain high-priority biomarker tests that aid in early detection, prevention, and treatment. Additionally, we have prohibited the substitution of lower-priced drugs for higher-priced medications for individuals living with multiple sclerosis and arthritis, and we have made this ban permanent for medications used to treat mental health disorders.

You can click here to see the full list of new laws taking effect on January 1, 2026. Feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions.

Access Health Enrollment Deadline Extended 

Due to a system outage that may have prevented many customers from enrolling in health and dental coverage by the December 15, 2025 deadline for coverage effective January 1, 2026, Access Health CT is extending the enrollment deadline. Customers now have until tomorrow, December 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. to enroll in coverage beginning January 1, 2026.

To receive coverage effective January 1, 2026, enrollment must be completed by contacting the Access Health CT Call Center. Applications completed on the website will result in coverage beginning February 1, 2026.

Call: 1-855-805-4325 or TTY: 1-855-789-2428

  • Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Customers should expect longer-than-normal hold times and are encouraged to call before 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20 to ensure enrollment is completed. Assistance is available in more than 100 languages.

If you work with a Certified Broker, please contact your broker for assistance enrolling by Saturday, December 20.

Open Enrollment ends January 15, 2026. You may continue to enroll online at AccessHealthCT.com, but coverage will begin February 1, 2026.

Emergency Relief Funds to Help Homeless Prevention 

Plans are under development to support providers, who typically receive funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program, to continue homelessness prevention and support services.

These funds will come from the $500 million Emergency Fund that was approved during Special Session aimed at continuing essential programs in the face of federal cuts.

In addition to the funding for homelessness prevention, additional money will be allocated for Connecticut Foodshare and our food pantries to help feed our struggling Connecticut families, to the United Way run 211 hotline especially helping those in duress and in mental health crisis, and to offset the Access Healthcare subsidy cuts. The goal is to bring stability to our families as these Federal cuts bring uncertainty to our state.

Medical Debt Erased for Some CT Residents 

40,000 Connecticut residents will receive letters in the mail this week informing them that some or all of their medical debt will be erased under an initiative with the national organization Undue Medical Debt to provide relief to those having difficulty paying medical bills.
 
This is the third round of the initiative, the first two erasing nearly $130 million in debt for 125,000 residents.

Upcoming Events and Holiday Celebrations 

The City of Norwalk will hold their annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Friday, December 26. Celebrate Umoja, the first principle of Kwanzaa, which represents unity within family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa honors African heritage and the shared values that uplift and strengthen communities through tradition, reflection, and celebration. There will be food, live performances, and local vendors.

The event will be held from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM in the Community Room at Norwalk City Hall. Please see the flyer below for more information.

Upcoming Library Events

The Norwalk Public Library will hold several events over the next few weeks. If you want more information, click on the corresponding flyer or visit the Norwalk Public Library website. 

Westport Public Library also has a robust lineup of programming. Please visit their website to learn more. 

ICYMI

Norwalk Mutual Aid (NMA) is holding a holiday drive to support Norwalk families in need. A donation of $50 will provide dinner and a gift for a family. If you are interested in donating, please scan the QR code below. Donations will be accepted through December 20. 
 

Happy last weekend of Hannukah to all who celebrate and a time full of joy, light, and the love of family this holiday season!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.


Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative

Website
Website

Email
Email

Facebook
Facebook

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences