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| Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this email finds you and yours well.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine full approval this week, becoming the first vaccine to receive complete authorization following a comprehensive review by the agency, using an extensive study and hundreds of pages of data provided as well as conducting their own analyses. |
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| The vaccine, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will now be marketed as Comirnaty. It is FDA-approved for anyone 16 years of age and older for the prevention of COVID-19. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
The announcement is likely welcomed news for those in Connecticut and nationwide who have been somewhat skeptical about the vaccine, that despite its success rate, was being administered under the FDA's emergency use authorization.
As of August 25, 2.43 million – or 67.1 percent – of Connecticut residents have initiated vaccination. While this is certainly better than other states, we can and must do better. Now is the time!
To find out how to get a COVID-19 vaccine, click here. If you need to find a vaccine provider near you, please click here. |
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| Keeping open lines of communication is important to me as your feedback and insights enable me to better advocate on your behalf in Hartford. This session, there were numerous wins for working families, education, small businesses, healthcare, and more. Over the next several weeks, I'm going to be highlighting the bills that will impact your life the most and set Connecticut on a path to prosperity and equity. Below is a look at bills that work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. |
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- SB 1004, An Act Concerning Dental and Vision Insurance Coverage for Children, Stepchildren and Other Dependent Children, requires health, vision, and dental plans to cover dependents up to age 26 on their parents’ insurance plans – closing loopholes under the Affordable Care Act to ensure all families get covered.
- SB 1202, An Act Concerning Provisions Related to Revenue and other Items to Implement the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2023, develops the “Covered Connecticut” plan to provide affordable, quality insurance to over 40,000 residents who do not currently qualify for assistance.
- HB 6687, An Act Concerning Medical Assistance for Children and Adults Without Health Care Coverage, expands healthcare coverage to all children 8 and under who otherwise are not able to get coverage.
- SB 1003, An Act Prohibiting Certain Health Carriers and Pharmacy Benefits Managers from Employing Copay Accumulator Programs, ensures that all prescription drug discounts available to consumers will be passed on to consumers to reduce out of pocket costs.
- HB 5596, An Act Concerning Telehealth, continues expanded telehealth insurance coverage for two years.
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| Are you hesitant or not planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, consider participating in a listening session to discuss your concerns about the vaccine with a health care professional. You can also receive a $40 gift card just by participating. These session are coordinated in partnership by the Yale School of Public Health, Griffin Hospital and the Prevention Research Centers.
For more information or to sign up, call 203-732-1125. |
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| With the Delta variant, it is more important than ever to roll up our sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccine. A recent study of Los Angeles, CA public health records found that unvaccinated individuals have 29 times more COVID-19 hospitalizations than fully vaccinated individuals, and 5 times more COVID-19 infections than those who are fully vaccinated. Additionally, unvaccinated persons were more likely than vaccinated persons to die from a COVID-19 infection.
Click the image above for an enlarged version of it. If you need assistance scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Additional vaccine sites can be found here. You can also call CT's Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
Griffin Health Mobile is offering a free day pass to Quassy with a first COVID-19 vaccination dose! Additionally, individuals who get their second vaccine at the location at 4 Fourth St can receive a $25 gift card to an Ansonia restaurant.
Click here to get a list of locations the mobile vaccine mobile will be visiting. |
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| YOUTH CAREER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES |
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| The WorkPlace's Career Hub is offering weekly career training for young adults in our community every Monday at 10 a.m. These are virtual training opportunities with several youth programs like YouthWorks, YouthBuild, and Center 180. Click the button below to register for these great trainings! |
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| OPERATION FUEL UTILITY ASSISTANCE |
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Electricity costs tend to be at their highest during the summer months - so families struggle to pay their utility bills during this time. But there’s good news! Operation Fuel has funds available to help struggling families – right now – with programs for year-round energy assistance, water assistance, and homeless intervention and prevention, too.
Households whose income does not exceed 75% of the State Median Income Guidelines may qualify for assistance.
To apply online, visit Operation Fuel's secure portal here.
You can also connect with a fuel bank in your area. To schedule an appointment, enter your town in Operation Fuel’s Fuel Bank Finder. If you have questions or need assistance, call 860-243-2345. |
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| If you are a landlord with a tenant behind on rent or are a tenant struggling to catch up on rent payments, the UniteCT program can help. Launched in March using federal emergency COVID-19 funds, this program provides up to $15,000 directly to landlords on behalf of tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are working to catch up on payments. Households making up to 80% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development area median income are eligible for the funds. For a household of 4 in Ansonia and Derby, the AMI is $78,500.
Landlords and tenants can initiate the online application process. Paper applications are not being accepted. Tenants and landlords can check their eligibility and start the online application by clicking the button below.
While the federal eviction ban has been extended to October 3, 2021, Valley landlords and tenants should still complete an application for the UniteCT program as processing times may impact when funds are disbursed to landlords.
Residents who need to access a computer can go to the Ansonia Public Library and Derby Public Library. |
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| ACCESS HEALTH CT SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD |
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| If you are still in need of quality, affordable health care, or want to save on your plan, it is not too late to get a plan during the Access Health Connecticut (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period. If you haven’t looked recently, prices for healthcare have PLUMMETED on Access Health thanks to new state and federal laws. The Special Enrollment Period ends on October 31 and enables new and existing customers to take advantage of newly available financial relief through the American Rescue Plan.
This financial help is offered only through Access Health CT and benefits many, including those with somewhat higher incomes who can face high premiums. If you need coverage please don't hesitate to reach out. For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period, click here.
To complete an application, make sure you have the below information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Visa, green card, immigration documents
- Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, Form 1099
- Current insurance coverage
- Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements, other employment information to confirm income for everyone in tax household
Access Health CT will continue to offer free help:
- Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: click “Live Chat” icon)
- Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us with a relay operator
- Extended Call Center Hours for close of the Special Enrollment Period: Sat., August 14 and Sun., August 15 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- With Enrollment Specialists in the community
- In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*:
Learn more about Access Health CT here. |
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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