MJ Shannon

Open Enrollment for Access Health CT's (AHCT) health and dental insurance remains on track to begin Saturday, Nov. 1 and end Monday, Dec. 15 for plans beginning at the start of next year. Residents can enroll until Thursday, Jan. 15 for plans beginning in February.

You may have received a letter in the mail warning of healthcare premium price increases starting Jan. 1 due to legislation passed in the U.S. Congress this year. Currently, the federal government is shut down as those price increases are debated and negotiated.

As it stands, state officials in Connecticut are encouraging residents to hold off on enrolling in the AHCT plan as the debate continues over those price increases. If you are able, please wait to enroll until the issue is fully resolved.

For those looking to enroll, please have the following information and documents prepared for you and anyone else in your household, even if they don't need coverage:

• Dates of Birth
• Social Security Numbers
• Visa, green card, or immigration documents
• Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, 1099 
• Pay-stubs, Profit & Loss Statements or other employment information
• Current insurance coverage (policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household)

You can click here to view the enrollment checklist.

Access Health CT's staff remains a valuable resource to guide you through this process and to tell you what to expect during open enrollment. To get in contact, you can :

• Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” for a list of places to get free, in-person help.
• If you do not have a broker, find one on the Access Health CT website. Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” and “Find Certified Broker.” Brokers are free to work with, and they are trained 
  and certified to help you find a plan that works best for you and your family.
• Call at 1-855-805-4325 - help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. Hours of Operation are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (Holiday hours may vary, check website for details)
• Live Chat available at AccessHealthCT.com
• Visit one of their Enrollment Locations  

To learn more about the enrollment process and to find the plan that is right for you, visit Access Health CT's website.

Monday marked National Civics Day, a time to recognize the importance of civics education and commemorate the anniversary of the first release of the Federalist Papers in 1787.

Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas just launched the new “Power of Civics” online learning course, an initiative designed to help residents learn more about government and civic engagement.

The course is designed to help residents better understand how government works, how laws are made, and how individuals can participate effectively in democracy. It includes interactive lessons, videos, and quizzes covering topics like voting, the Constitution, and the role of local and state government.

Click here to access the new "Power of Civics" platform.

Early voting is now underway.  Voters can cast their ballot in person through November 2.

Milford's early voting location is the Registrar of Voters Office, Parsons Government Center. West Haven's location is City Hall, on the Board of Education side and Orange's is Town Hall.

• Friday, October 31, 2025 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Sunday, November 2, 2025 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

If you miss out on voting early, you can also cast your ballot on Election Day, which is next Tuesday, November 4.

Please visit the Secretary of the State's website if you have any additional questions. 

The State of Connecticut recently announced the launch of the Statewide Drug Misuse Prevention Initiative and the Drug Deactivation Pouch Program, funded through opioid settlement funds. This program aims to provide families with an easy and safe way to dispose of unused medications, a simple yet powerful step in reducing the risk of drug misuse.

Over the next five years, 50,000 drug deactivation pouches will be distributed to families across the state each year, helping to prevent accidental overdoses and keeping harmful substances out of the wrong hands. These pouches contain carbon that neutralizes medications when combined with water, rendering them safe for disposal in your household trash.

Families can request a pouch by visiting https://gppct.org/prevention-starts-with-you/, ensuring that their unused medications are disposed of responsibly.

Let us honor those we have lost by taking action today to protect others from the pain of substance misuse. Together, we can make a difference.