April 30th Newsletter

Rep. Exum speaks on House floor
May 3, 2021

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.

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.

Approval of H.B. 6121
 
I am extremely grateful and proud that the House voted to approve H.B. 6121 (An Act Concerning A Workforce Development Pipeline For Persons With Disabilities) during Monday's session.
 
I have seen what it is like for someone with a disability to try to find employment. The difficulties these individuals face restrict their lives, their careers, and our economy. This pipeline, which would make it much easier for people with disabilities to be included in the workforce, makes sense not only from an equity standpoint but also from an economic standpoint.
 
A special thank you to State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw for being my partner on this bill!
House Passes Tax Cut for Local Businesses
 
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.
Access Health CT Special Enrollment
 

Access Health CT has announced the opening of a Special Enrollment Period from May 1 until August 15, 2021.

New and existing customers enrolling through the marketplace will be able to take advantage of newly available financial help to lower their monthly payments (premiums) under the federal American Rescue Plan that was signed into law earlier this year.

Savings will depend on a household's annual income. According to the Access Health CT announcement:

  • The average savings per household will be $116.05 per month, or $1,392.57 per year.
  • People with annual income over 400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($51,040 for one person), will be newly eligible financial help through Access Health CT and will see an average monthly savings of over $500 or $6,200 a year.
  • People with annual incomes up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level ($19,140 for one person) can now buy silver plans for nearly $0 monthly premium with a $0 deductible (the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay) and lower copay and coinsurance amounts.
  • 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.
  • Over half of current households in a qualified health plan will now pay under $16/month for their health insurance.

For more information on the Special Enrollment Period:

  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon) 
  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri.,  8 AM – 5 PM (Saturday May 1, 2021  9 AM – 3 PM)
  • With Enrollment Specialists in the community 
  • In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*: