Weekly Updates with Aimee

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April 29, 2021
As a part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Access Health CT (AHCT) has opened a new Special Enrollment Period that will run from May 1, 2021 through August 15, 2021. This Enrollment Period will allow new and existing customers to receive even more financial help at virtually every income level.

Through the Special Enrollment Period, new and existing customers can expect:

  • An average savings per household of $116.05 per month, or $1,392.57 per year.
  • Households with annual income over 400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($51,040 for one person), will be newly eligible for financial help and will see an average monthly savings of over $500 or $6,200 a year.
  • Over half of current households in a qualified health plan will now pay under $16/month for their health insurance.
How much can you save?
  • People with annual incomes up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level ($19,140 for one person) can now buy silver plans for a nearly $0 monthly premium with a $0 deductible.
  • Individual taxpayers who receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits at any time in 2021, will be automatically considered to have an annual income at 133% of the Federal Poverty Level ($12,880) and will be eligible for a nearly $0 premium benchmark silver plan with no deductibles for medical or prescription drug coverage, and very low copay and coinsurance amounts.

For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period and the American Rescue Plan, click here.

Access Health CT will continue to offer free help: 
 
Tax Cuts

During Monday's session, the Connecticut House of Representatives unanimously voted in favor of H.B. 5377, An Act Concerning the Removal Of COVID-19 Related Layoffs From the Unemployment Compensation Experience Account.  If passed by the Senate and approved by the Governor, this bill would cut taxes for local businesses.
 
This proposal excludes COVID-19 related layoffs from the Unemployment Compensation Experience Account and new contribution rate for 2021.  
 
The usual rate that a business must contribute to the Unemployment Compensation Experience Account increases based on the number of employees laid off in order to compensate for the increased strain on our unemployment fund from those layoffs.
 
However, through H.B. 5377, unemployment benefits paid to former employees from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021 will not affect an employer’s experience rate. This is a huge relief for local businesses.

Small and local businesses were hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Connecticut's strong COVID-19 response and vaccine distribution have signaled a brighter future, there is still a lot of work to be done, especially for small business owners. This bill will ensure that they will have one less financial burden to consider as they work towards rebuilding.
 
Bills Passed in Session

The House of Representatives met Monday, April 26 for a marathon session day where we passed multiple significant pieces of legislation.

HB 6321  known as the Parentage Act, passed with nearly unanimous support. 
  • The bill provides deserved equal protection under the law to our LGBTQ parents. Unmarried non-biological parents, families who utilize assisted reproduction, and those who participate in a surrogacy process all have a right to a clear path to parentage and assurance under the law that these rights are secure. LGBTQ couples raising children together should have the same paths available as different sex couples currently do. It is an issue of equity.
  • Clarifications in this bill are particularly important for the most impactful and vulnerable times in a family's life: birth, serious illness, death, divorce, separation, or marriage.

Another bill that passed with unanimous support was HB 5614, An Act Establishing A Commission On The Disparate Impact Of COVID-19.

  • This bill creates a commission to analyze the disparate impact COVID-19 has had on different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in the state.
  • It is a vital step for CT as we venture down the equitable road to recovery from this pandemic because it works to protect our state’s most vulnerable populations.

Below are some of the other bills we passed:

  • HB 6318 AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS
  • HB 5377 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REMOVAL OF COVID-19 RELATED LAYOFFS FROM THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXPERIENCE ACCOUNT
  • HB 6317 AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCHARGES FROM NURSING HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES TO TEMPORARY OR UNSTABLE HOUSING
  • HJ 53 RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE ADOPTION OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND BLUE PLAN
 

No Appointment Needed for COVID-19 Vaccine

This week, Governor Lamont announced that as of April 27, more than 50 providers of COVID-19 vaccines in Connecticut will no longer require an appointment prior to providing individuals with vaccinations. Connecticut residents will be able walk-up to the clinic and receive a vaccination on-the-spot.

Closest locations to Ridgefield that will no longer require an appointment

  • English Apothecary Bethel
    • 140 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT 06801
    • Walk-up Hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM, Saturdays 10 AM-4 PM
  • Community Health Center Danbury
    • 7 Backus Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810
    • Walk-up Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
  • Greater Danbury Community Health Center
    • 132 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810
    • Walk-up Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM and 2:00 PM-3:30 PM
  • Costco Pharmacy Norwalk
    • 779 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk, 06854
    • Walk-up Hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM-7 PM; Saturday 9:30 AM-6 PM

For the most up-to-date list of walk-up clinics, click the button below:
Find Walk-Up Clinics
COVID-19 vaccines are always free of charge to individuals. People are encouraged to bring some form of identification and their medical insurance, however neither are required and no one will be turned away if they do not have insurance or identification.
In Case You Missed It

Last Sunday, I co-hosted a panel discussion on the TCI-Program with State Representative Eleni Kavros Degraw. We were joined by DEEP Commissioner, Katie Dykes, and DOT Dep. Commissioner, Garrett Eucalitto, who helped us dispel the false narratives being spread about the program. The panel answered thoughtful questions from the public that were very informative and helpful. I highly encourage you to watch the discussion if you didn't get a chance to already, just click the button below.
Watch the Panel Discussion