Emergency Response Fund Update, Red Cross Blood Drive, and more

February 23, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

It was another busy week up in Hartford at the Capitol, as committees have begun holding meetings and public hearings, and I am meeting with state and local officials to discuss the work we are doing this session.

The three committees I serve on, Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Veterans' and Military Affairs, and Commerce, all held meetings this week to raise concepts for the legislative session. During this part of the legislative process, we are determining the priorities for each committee and which proposed bills will move forward. Starting next week, committees will begin to hold public hearings, an opportunity to hear from professionals, advocates, and residents on the proposed bills and what steps we can take to support and strengthen our communities across the state.

Emergency Response Fund Update

Our first order of business in the House was a vote on February 5th to extend the state's Emergency Response Fund established during the November 2025 Special Session. We voted to extend the fund, which shields Connecticut from federal funding cuts and protects vital health and human services for our communities. Amid chaos and uncertainty, this fund will be available through the end of the next fiscal year to quickly respond to additional federal funding reductions.

Reproductive Rights Caucus 2026 Legislative Priorities

Last Wednesday, February 18th, I joined my colleagues in the Reproductive Rights Caucus for a press conference to announce the Caucus priorities for the 2026 legislative session. This year’s Caucus priorities include expanded access to care, protecting reproductive health access, ensuring sustainable reproductive healthcare funding, strengthening support for providers and patients, and supporting policies addressing equitable healthcare access as a whole. These priorities will support communities and families across our state and ensure healthcare providers can continue to provide essential, high-quality services to those who need them.

Red Cross Blood Drive at the Capitol

On Wednesday, February 11th, I participated in the Red Cross Blood Drive at the State Capitol. Donating blood can help save a life.

With a severe blood and platelet shortage, the Red Cross is urging people to donate blood now. Every day, people of all ages across communities are in crucial need of blood. Donating blood can make the difference for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, those battling cancer, sickle cell patients, and more.

If you are interested in donating blood and helping those who need it most, click here to find an upcoming blood drive in the area.

Student Loan Reimbursement Program Reopens

Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program has opened a new grant round and is now accepting applications for student loan payments that were made during the 2025 calendar year.

Since launching its first grant round in January 2025, the program has awarded more than $2.2 million in reimbursements to borrowers statewide.

Eligible applicants can apply for reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 per year, with a maximum reimbursement of $20,000 over four years. Under the program, a new grant round launches each year, providing reimbursements for payments made during the preceding calendar year.

Eligible applicants may qualify if they:

Are Connecticut residents and meet program residency requirements
Made qualifying student loan payments during the 2025 calendar year
Earned a degree from a Connecticut institution of higher education or completed a state-approved program required for professional licensure or certification
Meet income limits of $125,000 for single filers or $175,000 for married filers
Completed required community service or qualify for a hardship waiver in certain circumstances

Applications must be submitted online through the CT Scholars portal, where applicants need to complete an application and upload required documentation. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis through December 2026 or until funds are exhausted.

Click here for application instructions. Questions regarding the program and the application process can be directed to OHE.SLRP@ct.gov.

Access Health CT Open Enrollment

Access Health CT is offering a Special Enrollment Period for eligible customers to enroll in health coverage. The Special Enrollment Period end date will be determined.

Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:

Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.
Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.

Eligible customers who have already enrolled or plan to enroll in a 2026 health plan will see a credit applied to their carrier bill.

It’s important to note that while customers will not see the state subsidy amount in AHCT’s online system until all updates have been made in the coming weeks, all eligible customers will soon receive a notice in the mail from AHCT with the amount of their state subsidy.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone.

Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them—including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or working with a Certified Broker in their area.

To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.

Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.

For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.