Rebecca Martinez

This week, the House worked quickly and effectively to strengthen health coverage for nearly one million elderly, disabled, and low-income children. The vote to secure $284 million in allocations for the current state budget will ensure Connecticut’s federally supported Medicaid health insurance program runs through the end of the fiscal year.

On Monday, the Governor made a Declaration of the Existence of Extraordinary Circumstances. This declaration allowed us to work around our spending restrictions, but it does not impact or expand the spending cap for future fiscal years reassuring those concerned about long-term fiscal discipline.

HB 6863 also includes a provision to help mitigate the financial effect following a Supreme Court ruling that would have impacted businesses. Employers had been bracing for a staggering 265% increase in workers’ compensation claims. This measure had become a top legislative priority for employers and municipal leaders across the state, who warned that inaction would have had far-reaching economic consequences.

Together, the emergency Medicaid funding and the workers’ compensation modification highlight our ability to work together in the legislature and to protect essential services for residents while safeguarding the state’s economic strength.

It was an honor to meet with some of our most heroic workers this week at the Capitol.

Yesterday, I spoke with workers from Healthcare at Home about the need to increase Medicaid rates to make sure our nurses have the safety and resources they need, and to continue recruiting and retaining these essential workers.

It was also Nurses Day at the Capitol this week, hosted by the Connecticut Nurses Association. As a nurse myself, it was extremely meaningful to see so many passionate workers at the Capitol. They received a proclamation from Governor Lamont declaring May as Nurses Month, my colleagues and I recognized them in the House Chamber, and we had a conversations about their legislative priorities this session and beyond.

Thank you so much to all of the nurses that joined for this special day!

I was recently joined at the Capitol by Plainville's robotics team for our annual Manufacturing Day. It was a day filled with innovation from our brightest young minds, and I was so proud to see Plainville represented!

Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents!

I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way  — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.

What to expect:

Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.

Who qualifies?

• Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
• Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like at https://shorturl.at/6XUQs.

In Connecticut, we have:

• 20,000+ certified EMS personnel
• 450,000 emergency calls annually
• 75 volunteer ambulance services providing EMS support
• 58 volunteer fire departments providing EMS support
• 24/7 dedication to our communities

Join me this EMS Week in honoring the dedication, courage, and lifesaving care of Connecticut’s EMS professionals. Thank you to every EMT, paramedic, dispatcher, and first responder who make the difference between life and death.