Utility Company Accountability, Legislative Spotlight, and More

May 1, 2023


 
View this email in your browser
Dear Neighbor,

Happy Monday! We certainly had many April showers and I'm ready for the May flowers. The legislature is starting to meet as a full body more frequently, and I look forward to keeping you updated as this session progresses. For your convenience, here are some helpful links to all the information included in this email:
 
Legislative Spotlight: An Act Concerning Utilization Review and Health Care Contracts
This week's legislative spotlight is SB 6: An Act Concerning Utilization Review and Health Care Contracts, Health Insurance Coverage for Newborns and Step Therapy. The bill covers an array of health-related topics in its eight sections, so for this update, I will be focusing on step therapy.

Step therapy is an established sequence for when you can be prescribed specified medication for a qualifying medical condition. With step therapy currently, your insurance provider can require you to take a medication they’ve named preferential even if the preference is based on cost savings for them, rather than addressing your medical needs. This bill expands when health carriers are prohibited from requiring you to use step therapy.

SB 6 Prohibits Step Therapy to Treat:

  • Behavioral Health Conditions
  • Chronic Conditions & Diseases
  • Disabling Conditions & Diseases
  • Life-threatening Conditions & Diseases
Attending Multiple Sclerosis State Action Day last Wednesday, and supporting fellow Fairfield delegation member Representative Sarah Keitt, opened my eyes to the vital implications this piece of legislation carries. Activists came together and told personal stories of not being able to obtain the medication they needed that their doctors had prescribed and knew would help them without first taking the cheaper, insurance-preferred, medications required because of step therapy. Oftentimes, they said this negatively impacted their health and well-being for months on end.

The bill passed out of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee last month, and I hope to see it become law.
 
 
CGA Kickball Classic

Members of Connecticut's General Assembly - from both sides of the aisle - are coming together outside of their offices and chambers, in the spirit of bipartisanship, for some fun and good causes.

The CT General Assembly will be holding its Second Annual Kickball Classic today at 4:30 p.m. (gates open at 3:30) at Dunkin' Park in Hartford, home of the Yard Goats. The admission price is $10, and proceeds will go to two great causes - the Q Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, in memory of my former colleague and friend, State Rep. Quentin "Q" Williams, who died in a tragic car crash at the start of this legislative session, and the Sarah Foundation, in memory of former State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda. 

The event is open to the public and we welcome you to come cheer on your favorite team and support two great causes as we honor two great legislators who left us far too soon. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to CT Foodshare, too. To purchase tickets online, click HERE or purchase at the gate. 

To learn more about the Q Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, click HERE. To learn more about the Sarah Foundation, click HERE.
 
Increased Accountability Among Utility Companies
The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority unanimously voted to begin a search for consultants to monitor the performance of the state's two electric distribution companies - Eversource and United Illuminating. This is an important step toward eventually shifting to performance-based regulation for the companies.
 
The framework for these changes was created in the wake of Eversource and UI's poor and slow response to issues caused by Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020. In response, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the "Take Back Our Grid Act," a robust bill that established standards that utility companies must meet, penalties if those standards are not met, and metrics for determining progress.
Additionally, PURA announced that it has extended the utility shutoff moratorium for gas and electric service disconnections for residential financial hardship customers until October 31, 2023.
 
These changes will help hold the state's utilities accountable, protect vulnerable communities, and ensures that the ratepayers are the priority moving forward.

To read more about PURA's decision, read this article from the Connecticut Mirror.
 
Sustainability Tip
This week's Fairfield Public School Sustainability tip is to avoid using pesticides! Read below for more on the dangers of pesticides and some safer alternatives.
 
Fairfield CARES Annual Community Event

Wednesday, May 17 from 7 pm - 8:30 pm is the Fairfield CARES Annual Community Event at Tomlinson Middle School Auditorium - 200 Unquowa Road, Fairfield. The featured speaker is Dr. Eli Lebowitz, director of the program for anxiety disorders at the child study center at Yale School of Medicine.

The free event should be an insightful and inviting discussion on mental health for children and young adults. You can register here.
 
Think Global, Act Local
Think global, act local! Connecticut has taken historic climate action and passed legislation that codifies our zero-carbon electric grid target into state law. Learn more about how we are taking action for our planet here.
 
Band Together Mental Health Awareness Fair

Sunday, May 21 from 1 pm - 3 pm is the second annual Band Together for Mental Health live music and mental health fair hosted by Our Lady of the Assumption Parish at the Assumption Church - 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield. This free event includes music, food, raffles, and conversations with representatives of local mental health organizations. The day is sure to be filled with fun and meaningful discussions, and I encourage residents of all ages to attend.
 
I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
Website
Website
Email
Email
Facebook
Facebook
Instagram
Instagram

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences