Women's History Month & Raising Awareness on Coronary Calcium Scans

March 14, 2025

As your legislator, I am committed to listening, learning, and taking action to support our community's needs. My colleagues and I are hearing passionate testimony, tweaking language on a wide array of bills, and moving these proposals closer to the House floor as the legislative session continues. Please make sure to contact me if you're interested in weighing on a proposal in the coming weeks.


The entire nation is celebrating Women's History Month. I'll let you know how you can network with female leaders in our community while empowering women to continue breaking barriers.

My colleagues and I are raising awareness about heart health and the best ways to protect yourself. Read below to learn how a newly covered test in Connecticut could save countless lives.

I proudly support a House priority bill that would invest in early childhood care and education. I'll break down how this legislation would support our kids, parents, and the economy.

Our state is offering valuable resources to displaced federal workers. Please keep scrolling to learn how Connecticut can help those who lost their jobs.

These are the sections in today's email: 

  • Celebrating Women’s History Month
  • Coronary Calcium Scan Can Save Lives
  • Affordable and Accessible Childcare Bill
  • Help for Displaced Federal Workers
 

Celebrating Women’s History Month

March is Women's History Month, a time to honor the extraordinary contributions women have made to our society. Throughout our history, women have shaped our nation through their leadership, innovation, and resilience -- often overcoming immense barriers to create a more just and equitable world. This month, we recognize trailblazers in every field, from science and politics to education and the arts, while also uplifting the countless women in our communities who work tirelessly to make a difference every day.

The community is coming together for a powerful and empowering evening dedicated to uplifting and recognizing female trailblazers in and around Hartford. Angel of Edgewood is celebrating with an evening of diversity, equity, and inclusion on Tuesday, March 25 from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Dunkin’ Park. The event will include thought-provoking conversation that unify women who tirelessly create change, advocate for others, and break barriers.

Organizers will honor my wife, Jacqueline Nadal, who serves as the Vice President of Consumer Lending at Bank of America and as the Chair of the 6th District Democratic Town Committee. Through her unwavering dedication to financial education, mentoring, and community service, Nadal exemplifies the spirit of equity and leadership.
Buy your tickets now

With your ticket you will be able to listen to a panel discussion, network with female leaders, and eat a delicious buffet dinner. The possibilities are endless. Let's work together to promote economic opportunity for women, workplace equity, and so much more as we work to ensure that future generations of women can thrive.
 

Coronary Calcium Scan Can Save Lives

Doctors, advocates, and legislators stood together in solidarity to raise awareness about heart health and the importance of early detection in life-threatening conditions. One of the most effective ways to assess heart health is through a coronary calcium scan. The test measures plaque buildup in the arteries and helps identify blockages that could lead to heart attacks or other serious cardiovascular issues. By providing patients with this critical information, they can take proactive steps to protect their heart health before it’s too late.

All health plans in Connecticut are required to cover coronary calcium scans after Senate Bill 1 went into effect on January 1, 2025. This legislation is deeply personal to my colleague, Rep. Tammy Exum of West Hartford, who lost her husband, Earl, in 2023 to a widow-maker heart attack. An autopsy, which included a coronary calcium scan, revealed a significant blockage – something that could have been detected earlier with proper screening.

We join Rep. Exum is advocating for doctors to have conversations with their patients about coronary calcium scans, emphasizing that this test is a far more reliable indicator of heart health than  a routine checkup, EKG, or stress test.

Thank you to Rep. Exum for co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1 and for turning her personal tragedy into a powerful call for change. Raising awareness and ensuring access to this life-saving test will help prevent tragedies like Earl’s and give more people the change to take control of their heart health before it’s too late.
 

Affordable and Accessible Childcare Bill

Affordable and accessible childcare is essential for Connecticut families and businesses to thrive. House Bill 5003, a top legislative priority for House Democrats this session, would expedite funding for families, attract and retain childcare educators, and enhance both new and existing childcare facilities.

This proposal builds upon Public Act 24-91, passed unanimously last year and signed by the governor, which established the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund. Investing in early childhood care and education produces better educational, health, social, and economic outcomes, driving increased revenue while reducing the need for costly spending.

Connecticut is home to approximately 181,000 children under the age of five, with 73% of these young children receiving care outside the home while their parents work.

By providing targeted funding and expanding access to childcare, House Bill 5003 will put more money back into our economy by opening new opportunities for stay-at-home parents to re-enter the workforce. This is not just an investment in childcare—it is an investment in our children and the prosperity of our state.
 

Help for Displaced Federal Workers

If you live in Connecticut and were fired or put on unpaid administrative leave from your job with the federal government, please know we are here for you. Connecticut appreciates your contributions and employers in the state are eager to benefit from your expertise.

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has brought together several programs and services specifically designed to assist you during this time. Displaced federal workers and contractors can find more information on the CTDOL homepage at portal.ct.gov/dol.