(LOB= Legislative Office Building)

The 2021 legislative session runs from Wednesday, January 6th - Wednesday, June 9th. The Governor will release his proposed budget sometime between the 3rd to 10th of February. Health Equity Solutions 2021 policy priorities can be found here. We will be sharing details as they become available during legislative session and opportunities for advocacy. What we know for sure is that 2021 will be a session unlike any before and bringing many opportunities to lift up health equity.

In recent weeks, HES commented on the state’s data plan, participated in work-groups related to the pandemic and vaccine distribution, the Community Health Worker Advisory Board, the Consumer Advisory Council, and more. If you would like information about any of these conversations with the executive branch or want us to know your thoughts, please reach out.

• Recently, HES hosted 6 community conversations about health care affordability and we welcome new contributors about this issue in 2021.
   
• Annual listening sessions inform HES’ policy agenda. Listening session summary and our policy agenda are now online.
   
• HES has organized issue-focused coalitions for several of our priorities—want to get involved? Please follow this newsletter or visit our website.

HES held our staff retreat in December. Rather than discussing a book, we talked about our “True Colors” and how to manage stress individually and as a group. We also talked about the challenges and successes of 2020 and our aspirations for 2021. What stood out most was the gratitude we all have for one another and for you as—in the midst of a pandemic and courageous public conversations about racism--we continue to advocate for every person to have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Wishing you all a happy holiday season and a new year full of possibility and hope!

In 2021, HES Staff will read a book per quarter for a total of 4 books:

Permission To Feel by Marc Brackett

Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-Create Race in the Twenty-First Century by Dorothy Roberts

Fragmented Democracy by Jamila Michener

Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

Thankful for the Gift of Your Support

• The Connecticut Health Foundation approved a grant request for funding in the amount of $300,000.00 to support the Advancing Equity & Elevating Community Voice project.

• RX Foundation Grant awarded HES $75,000.00 for building grassroots power and health advocacy capacity in CT. The project is titled Health Equity for the People by the People.

• National Institute for Reproductive Health awarded Health Equity Solutions funding in the amount of $20,000 for the Equitable Access to Doula Care Services Through Medicaid Reimbursement project.

• The Fairfield County's Community Foundation (FCCF) awarded Health Equity Solutions funding in the amount of $10,000.

• The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund awarded HES $5,000.00 for the Advocacy Grant request entitled: Dismantling Racism and Building Health Equity in CT.

It is our pleasure to announce that because of supporters like you our #GivingTuesday fundraising campaign was a rousing success! Together we were able to exceed our goal. Thank you for your support! We could not continue the fight for health equity without you.

There is still time to donate before the new year. You can do your part help  advance health equity in CT!