Weekly Updates with Aimee

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May 21, 2021
This week, the House convened for three days of session and a heavily contested zoning bill came up for debate and a vote yesterday.

During the public hearing process, you made it very clear that Ridgefield should remain in control of Ridgefield’s planning decisions, and I agree. I sought input from our own Planning and Zoning committee, to ensure that while we make long-overdue updates to our state's zoning laws, we also protect our community's local decision-making control. The bill we passed yesterday is written to give communities across Connecticut the tools they need to address the very real, state-wide, affordable housing shortage, while recognizing the fact that one size does not fit all!

HB 6107 was passed by the House and I voted yes, so I would like to take a moment to explain what the bill did and how I listened to your concerns and advocated for a strike-all amendment that restructured the entire bill.

To be clear, HB 6107 both maintains and strengthens local zoning control while creating safeguards to bolster local economic development, address environmental concerns, and promote diverse accessible housing for our residents.

The bill still has to be heard on the floor of the Senate, and if any changes are made to the existing legislation, it will need to be voted on again in the House.
 
Other Bills Passed in Session

Below are a some of the bill highlights from the week:

SB 835, AN ACT CONCERNING DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING PRACTICES OF LIMITED SERVICES PREGNANCY CENTERS
  • This bill protects patients seeking reproductive healthcare services from false and deceitful advertising.
  • Patients trying to access their right to these services should not have to navigate deceptive advertising campaigns by limited service pregnancy centers, and this will ensure they receive accurate information.

SB 1003, AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN HEALTH CARRIERS AND PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS FROM EMPLOYING COPAY ACCUMULATOR PROGRAMS

  • This bill takes steps to protect customers at the point of sale and helps manage out-of-pocket costs.
  • Too often pharmacy managers and health insurance companies have prevented patients from taking advantage of copay assistance plans, which are designed to help access critically needed prescription medication at an affordable cost. This practice makes necessary and potentially life-saving medications unaffordable.

HB 6509, AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS

  • This bill would require the Department of Public Health to establish school-based mental health clinics for the purpose of expanding access to mental, emotional and behavioral health services for students.

HB 6485, AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONNECTICUT HYDROGEN AND ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE REBATE

  • This bill will require the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program (CHEAPR) Board to conduct a study to understand how to best ensure equitable distribution of grants for residents hoping to purchase these vehicles.
  • These hydrogen and electric cars are the way of the future, but work still needs to be done to ensure our population can access these vehicle.
 

Mask Protocol Updates

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new guidance, the Governor announced that Connecticut residents who are fully vaccinated no longer are required to wear a mask indoors as of last Wednesday, May 19.

Keep in mind that individual, private businesses can still require masks to be worn by patrons and customers, but the State will no longer be requiring businesses to do so. As discussed below, the new CDC and State guidance does not change the requirement for masks on airplanes, buses, trains and other specific areas.

Effective Now:

  • All remaining business restrictions are lifted.
  • The Department of Public Health will issue recommendations for indoor and other large outdoor events, such as concerts, as well as clarify where masking will continue after May 19.
  • Alcohol can be served without food, meaning bars can reopen.
  • There will be no limit to the number of people who may sit at a table indoors.

In Connecticut, 2.17 million people have received at least the first dose of the COVID vaccine, and 1.78 million, or about 49.7% of residents, have been fully vaccinated. You can find this vaccine data updated daily by clicking here.

You may schedule your vaccination appointment by clicking the button below, or going to any of the walk-up vaccine clinics in our community. Please also remember, the FDA recently approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for teens and kids between the ages of 12 and 15.

Schedule Appointment
Find Walk-Up Clinics
Masks Still Required in Some Instances

As noted, although people who are vaccinated will be able to go without a mask in most places throughout Connecticut, masks will still be required in:
  • Schools
  • Airplanes
  • Buses
  • Trains
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes and other high-risk environments

 

Insulin Cost Savings

Anyone living in Connecticut can now save on the cost of insulin by accessing an ID card through the State of Connecticut Drug Discount Program, regardless of insurance status or health care provider.

Connecticut residents can create a personalized discount card online through the program to obtain certain forms of Novo Nordisk insulin at 50 % less than the retail cost.
Create a Personalized Discount Card Here
To receive the discounted prices, residents must simply present their card when purchasing their insulin medication. Discounted medications available through the program include:
  • Novolin R 10ml vial ($25)
  • Novolin N 10ml vial ($25)
  • Novolin 70/30 10ml vial ($25)
  • NovoLog® 10ml vial ($120)
  • NovoLog® PenFill Cartridge - 5x3ml ($180)
The discount cards will be accepted at all participating Connecticut network pharmacies.