March 22nd Newsletter
We are constantly working to provide updates and important news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.
Below you can find information on the following topics:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Accelerated
- Telehealth Services Expanded/Extended by Executive Order
- Banking Committee Update
- Emergency Rental Assistance
- Latest COVID-19 Statistics
- Registering to Testify at Public Hearings
For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.
Last week, the State announced several key updates regarding the phasing and pace of Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. One of those updates began on Friday.
The next phase of the roll-out, which expands eligibility to individuals aged 45 to 54, began Friday morning at 8 a.m.
The State also announced that general availability to all individuals 16-years-of-age and older will begin ahead of schedule. Eligibility is tentatively scheduled to begin for this age group on Monday, April 5. This acceleration comes as the State was informed by the Biden administration that we should anticipate receiving a significant increase in supplies of all three federally authorized vaccines over the next several weeks.
It’s important to note that these dates are for appointment eligibility. They are not a guarantee of a timeline in which you will receive the vaccine.
Connecticut continues to rank among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of our population that has been vaccinated. Individuals who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine in Connecticut include:
- All individuals age 55 and older;
- Healthcare personnel;
- Medical first responders;
- Residents and staff of long-term care facilities;
- Residents and staff of select congregate settings; and
- PreK-12 school staff and professional childcare providers.
All eligible individuals in Connecticut who would like to receive the vaccine must make an appointment in advance. Information on making an appointment and finding the closest available clinic can be found online at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The assist line is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
While a large portion of eligible residents have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, there are still a number of residents that need to be vaccinated. We must have patience as we wait to roll up our sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Telehealth services – which have provided safe and secure options for healthcare professionals to treat patients during the pandemic – have been expanded and extended through an executive order signed over the weekend by Governor Lamont.
Executive Order No. 10C extends the provisions codified by Public Act 20-2 and includes the following:
- Authorizes additional health care professionals to provide telehealth services;
- Allows certain telehealth providers to offer audio-only services by telephone;
- Allows certain providers to use additional technologies, such as certain third-party video communication applications, like Zoom;
- Develop requirements for telehealth providers seeking payment from uninsured or underinsured patients;
- Requires insurance coverage for telehealth services and prohibits providers reimbursed for services from seeking payment from an insured patient beyond cost sharing;
- Prohibits insurance policies from excluding coverage for a telehealth platform selected by an in-network provider;
- Prohibits insurance carriers from reducing reimbursement to a provider because services are provided through telehealth instead of in-person;
- Modifies requirements for pharmacies transferring unfilled prescriptions for controlled substances that were electronically transmitted.
The executive order modifies and extends Public Act 20-2 through April 20, 2021, the date the governor's emergency powers are set to expire.
Telehealth services have been beneficial in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by enabling providers and patients to stay socially distant through technology and I hope these services will remain in place for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.
As we continue to navigate the virtual legislative session, I wanted to remind you of the ways available to ensure your voice is heard. Though COVID-19 has closed the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building to the public, you can still testify and participate in public hearings from your home. (Please note that times and dates of public hearings are subject to change.)
Below, I have outlined the steps to testify at a public hearing:
- Review the bulletin daily and check to see which committees are having public hearings.
- Use the “On-line Testimony Registration Form” link in the notice to register to testify. You can also call the number listed if you do not have access to the internet.
- Make sure you have noted the bill or resolution number(s) you plan to testify on because you will need that to complete the form.
- If you’re registering online, you’ll be taken to the Webinar registration page for the hearing at which you would like to testify. Make sure to review the details of the hearing closely to confirm that you are registering for the correct hearing.
- You will need to scroll down to find the registration form. The form requests the same information that committee staff would ask you if you were signing up to testify in-person.
- Once you submit the form, you’ll receive a pending approval notice to the email address you included in the form. Make sure to keep the information in this notice handy.
- Within 24 hours, after you have registered to testify, you will receive an email confirming that you have signed up for the hearing. If you need to cancel, there is the “cancel” link in the bottom left corner.
- Please note that there is a deadline to register to testify. You can find the exact time and date that registration closes for a particular hearing listed in the bulletin.
- On the morning of the hearing, a speaker list will be generated and posted on the committee page. Go to “Public Hearings” and click “testimony” and select the hearing date. In the right corner, there will be a document labeled “Speaker Order.” Click to open and find your placement.
- Make sure to log onto Zoom before the hearing starts and turn off camera/microphone until it is your turn. You will have to wait to speak as if you are sitting in a hearing room.
- You can monitor every public hearing this session in real-time on each committee's official YouTube channel (accessible at cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/broadcastmedia.asp under the "CGA Live Streaming Feeds" heading). Some public hearings are also broadcast live on CT-N.