Remembering Those we Lost and What We Do When Not in Session

September 12, 2024

The work doesn’t stop when the legislative session ends. In July, I attended the Council of State Governments East Annual Conference. One of the topics discussed was what strategies states are pursuing to improve the health and well-being of their residents.

In the Connecticut legislature we have been working to make sure all our residents have access to the tools and services they need to live healthy lives. In the past two years we passed bills to:

  • Create early detection for lung cancer.   
  • Establish newborn screening for cytomegalovirus, the most common infectious cause for birth defects. 
  • Combat opioid misuse and substance use disorder. 
  • Start prohibiting step therapy for treating schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder*.
  • Expand pharmacies’ ability to administer vaccines, COVID, flu, and HIV testing and provide prescriptions that prevent HIV. 
  • Create a statewide drug discount card program (www.arrayrxcard.com).
  • Require coverage for coronary calcium scans.
  • Make permanent certain expanded requirements for telehealth services.
  • Help people on co-pay only health plans to access radiology imaging and physical and occupational therapy.
Health and wellbeing are passions of mine. Helping people get the healthcare they need when they need it is one of the reasons I ran for office in the first place.
 
*Step therapy requires people to try and fail on less expensive drugs before getting insurance coverage for higher cost drugs that their doctor thinks are indicated.
 
As always, I am here to listen and help. If you have questions or ever need any help, please don't hesitate to reach out by phone, 860-240-8585 or 203-564-9516, or email Rachel.Khanna@cga.ct.gov.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to get information on happenings in Greenwich and Stamford, and other useful information!

Thanks, 


Rachel Khanna
State Representative

What We Do When Not in Session
 
 
Remembering 9/11

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I was honored to attend the memorial ceremony at Sherwood Island State Park as well as the ceremony at Cos Cob Park in Greenwich. These somber events remember and honor the lives of the 161 people with ties to Connecticut, and thousands of innocent people lost in the attack.

 
WBDC Grant Opportunities for Small Businesses

Gov. Ned Lamont, with the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Dan O'Keefe, have allocated $5M in state funding for a micro-grant program to help small businesses in western Connecticut rebuild and recover from the record rainfall and flooding impacting the state in August 2024.
 

The state has partnered with WBDC to administer the grant program.. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties that experienced damage from the floods. Grants can be used to cover various expenses to help in the recovery, including those associated with cleanup efforts, replenishing lost inventory, and replacing equipment.

Applications open on Tuesday, September 3 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. 

LEARN MORE HERE.

Ignite Grants are designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability. Applications will be accepted through September 24. Eligibility information and the application, as well as dates and registration for upcoming information sessions, can be found here.

 
Family Centers Early Care & Education
Family Centers provides full-day, full-year early care & education services for families living in or working near Greenwich. Space is available NOW in our 3- and 4-year-old preschool classrooms. We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Head Start free preschool or scholarship is available for qualifying families. Apply online at www.familycenters.org or contact Catherine Vargas at 203-869-4848. Teaching positions are also available; apply through our website.
 
Next Chapter Book Club
 
Filling in the Blanks Holiday Backpack Drive
 
Valley Jam
 
Miles for a Mission
 
DART to the Finish
 
Walk the Walk & 5K Run Against Domestic Violence
 
Walk/Run for Abilis
19th Annual Walk/Run for Abilis
 
Sunday, October 13, 2024
 
Greenwich Point Park

(Tod’s Point) Clambake Area


 
Old Greenwich, CT
Click Here to Register
 
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange
 
World Affairs Council of Connecticut Internships 
For college students wanting to start their career in global affairs - apply now to become a CTWAC intern for Fall 2024.

Click these links below to apply for respective internships: