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| I hope you and your family had a relaxing Labor Day Weekend! This week, on Tuesday, September 2nd, and Thursday, September 4th, I was in Hartford at the State Capitol for meetings and hearings about federal funding cuts and how they will impact Connecticut. In this week's email, I'll share some of the information I received during the meetings in addition to state resources you and your family members may find useful. As a friendly reminder, if my office can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to email me. |
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On Tuesday, September 2nd, the Human Services Committee held a hearing on the HR-1 impacts on Medicaid, SNAP, higher education student loans, rural health services, healthcare exchange changes, Department of Justice funding, Inflation Reduction Act changes, and federal tax changes impacting Connecticut residents. During our hearing, the Department of Social Services gave a briefing on the impacts they are anticipating and how they can respond to various cuts in funding and resources.
Representatives from numerous state agencies and organizations across the state were also in attendance to present and answer questions from committee members about the impacts they will feel from the passage of HR 1 in their different fields of work. We heard from representatives from Aging and Disability Services, Community Health Centers, CT Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Connecticut Hospital Association, Access Health CT, and workers UFCW Local 371 and 1199NE. It is crucial to hear from workers in the various healthcare and social services fields who understand the direct impacts this bill will have on them, their families, and residents across Connecticut. These hearings offer the opportunity for lawmakers to ask questions and clarify concerns in an effort to understand the full scope of how Connecticut residents will be impacted. |
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| On Thursday, September 4th, I attended a health care forum hosted by the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health and Health Equity Solutions, called “Staying Covered: Responding to Federal Cuts to Healthcare”, which focused on H.R. 1, the recently enacted federal legislation, and its impact on Connecticut’s healthcare system. I want to thank all the panelists from this event, and Dr. Alexander Reger, Director of Healthcare Benchmarks Initiative at the CT Office of Health Strategy, who was the moderator during this informative and important panel discussion. |
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| HR 1 Impacts on Connecticut Residents |
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Congressional House Resolution 1 (HR-1), also known as the "One Big, Beautiful Bill", will have drastic changes to programs and resources used by many across Connecticut and includes cuts that will directly affect thousands of residents. These cuts will affect our neighbors and community members. The wide-ranging policy changes resulting from the bill’s passage will impact residents, healthcare providers, and the state. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over the next 10 years, H.R. 1 may result in the loss of health care coverage for about 130,000 people in Connecticut across Medicaid, Medicare, and Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange. Fiscally, the Connecticut Department of Social Services estimates an annual cost shift from federal to state dollars to be as high as $40 million in the SNAP program, with similar administrative impacts to Medicaid. New work and other requirements, including loss of certain subsidies, may increase the number of people who lose Medicaid eligibility altogether.
The legislation’s impact should not be taken in isolation, and what did pass is just as important as what didn’t. For example, the legislation did not extend the Advanced Premium Tax Credits eliminated by the Inflation Reduction Act. The state estimates a potential outlay of up to 30 million dollars may be needed to cover subsidies for Covered Connecticut. Up to 27,000 people in Connecticut who were receiving subsidies may no longer be eligible. Access Health CT estimates that the loss of subsidies, combined with additional requirements in the bill, could lead to 30 to 35 percent of its more than 150,000 customers potentially losing coverage by 2034. The impact on Connecticut is happening, and we must take proactive steps to combat the immediate and long-term effects.
Nationwide, the Congressional Budget Office expects an additional 1.3 million people to lose health coverage in 2026. But one year later, in 2027, it expects an annual decrease in people with coverage to 5.8 million. The annual estimates grow each year, reaching 10 million annually in 2034. The loss of health coverage for a significant number of Connecticut residents will impact all of us. Healthcare providers, already stretched thin, may face greater instances of uncompensated care. Unmanaged health drives costs up for everyone, leading to higher strain on clinics and emergency departments. Providers and hospitals, seeing more and sicker patients, may need to look for more efficient ways to manage care. More people may end up facing medical bills, or medical debt, that they cannot pay.
The Office of Health Strategy’s Benchmark Initiative shows that healthcare spending in Connecticut rose 8% last year. Even for people with health insurance, annual out-of-pocket costs for a family of four now exceed $20,000, enough to buy a new car. The systems that provide healthcare for our neighbors are strained. There is concern that less federal funding will worsen this problem. Starting the discussion now is one way to ensure that all of our stakeholders – from hospitals, providers, and residents to state agencies and policy makers – can plan for effective, efficient, and empathetic transitions under HR1.
Here in Connecticut, we are working alongside community partners through meetings and hearings similar to the ones held by the Human Services Committee and the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health and Health Equity Solutions, earlier this week. My colleagues and I have been discussing the different ways we can combat and mitigate the impacts of impending cuts to essential programs and services used by hundreds of thousands here in Connecticut. |
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| We Still Remember 24 Years Later |
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This upcoming Thursday, we remember the 2,996 lives lost on September 11th, 2001, the thousands who have died since due to exposure to toxic chemicals, and the countless lives that were forever changed. Though we move further away from that fateful day each year, we must continue to honor those Americans we lost and never stop the fight against terror and for peace.
This past Thursday evening, September 4th, I joined Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, other state elected leaders, and families from across the state at the annual 9/11 Living Memorial Ceremony at the Sherwood Island State Park in Westport to honor the lives lost and the heroes with ties to Connecticut.
May we never forget the people whose lives were stolen from us through this act of terror, and all the first responders, construction crews, service members, and everyday citizens who saved lives that day and helped our country rebuild. |
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| Stratford Transportation Updates |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be reconstructing the driveway and intersection at the Barnum Avenue entrance to Stratford Square Plaza from September 3rd through the 19th.
Access to the plaza will remain available through Veterans Boulevard. Detour arrows posted to guide drivers to the Veterans Boulevard entrance will be posted, as well as signs reading “Business Open – Use Veterans Blvd” will be placed at the Barnum Avenue entrance and along Barnum Avenue before the left turn onto Veterans Boulevard. The Stratford Police Department will be on-site daily from 6 AM to 6 PM, including weekends, to help manage traffic. |
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| Save the Date: VA Stand Down 2025 |
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The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual Stand Down event is set for Friday, September 19th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with six separate locations in Bridgeport, Southington, Danbury, Norwich, Rocky Hill, and Stamford. This statewide event will provide one-stop access to services and programs offered to veterans by state and federal agencies, veteran-support organizations, and community-based nonprofits. Click here for more details
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| Generation Power CT Emergency Energy Assistance Program |
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The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program is set to open on Tuesday, September 2nd, through September 10th! This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses 🏠💡
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
All GPCT energy programs are accessible to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the highest likelihood to be approved, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for this emergency energy assistance when you are most in need.
GPCT has four Energy Assistance Application Cycles:
- September 2-10
- November 2-10
- January 2-10
- March 2-10
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: https://gpct.org/gethelp/
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| Register for Fall Fun! Stratford Recreation Fall Session 1 Registration begins September 2nd. Register for a variety of programs, including basketball, dance, cooking, soccer, track, and more! |
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| September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! Visit the Stratford Library to get your card today! |
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The Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee is proud to be celebrating our 20th year! The Latin Music Festival will take place on Sunday, September 14th, from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. (with a rain date of September 21st).
You're invited to join the fun on Paradise Green, located between Main Street and Huntington Road in Stratford. Enjoy live music, food vendors, and all the activities planned for you and the family!
All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
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It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.
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| The Stratford Rotary Annual Golf Outing will take place on September 13th, starting at 9 a.m at Short Beach Par 3 Golf Course. The proceeds will support various community efforts, including food pantries, high school scholarships, Thanksgiving food baskets and turkeys for those in need, a dictionary project for every Stratford 3rd grader, and a Thesaurus for every 5th grader. Visit www.stratfordrotarygolf.com/ for additional information and to register. |
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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