 | | | Friend, welcome to Health Equity Solutions' monthly newsletter! | | | | Save the Dates: Health Equity Week 2026! | |  | | | | | | | | | | | ICYMI: Community Voices Shaping Our 2026 Legislative Priorities Health Equity Solutions just released our 2026 Policy Agenda: Building Toward Health Equity and it’s rooted in what our communities told us matters most. The agenda is shaped by the lived experiences of 348 community members across 34 towns who shared their stories during our 2025 community conversations. Their voices are driving the priorities we’re advancing at the Capitol in 2026. Our 2026 Legislative Priorities include: -
Strengthening accountability & access to care -
Advancing health affordability -
Expanding access to comprehensive, quality, and unbiased care Have questions or want to connect? Reach out to Kally Moquete at kmoquete@hesct.org. | | | | | | | | | | HEAP Host Inaugural Cohort in Hartford On January 12, The Health Equity Ambassadors Program (HEAP) launched its inaugural cohort in Hartford. Community members from Greater Hartford County united in their passion to advance health equity, serving as leaders who advocate with their communities. The energy was palpable as participants laid the building blocks of how they will use what they learn through HEAP and one another to create equitable change that centers community voice. Interested in becoming an ambassador? There's still time to apply for our Greater New Haven and Greater Middlesex cohort. | | | | | | | | Ayesha R. Clarke and Other Leaders Raise Concerns About New Healthcare Framework Connecticut health officials and lawmakers raised serious concerns about the Trump administration’s newly outlined health care framework, warning that its centerpiece, funding health savings accounts instead of restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies could increase costs and limit access to care. While some leaders welcomed proposals to increase transparency and regulate insurance companies, advocates say the plan lacks detail and fails to address equity. Our Executive Director, Ayesha R. Clarke, cautioned that the proposal is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” adding that it “will drive premiums higher, reduce access to care, and increase rates of uninsurance and uncompensated care,” particularly harming Black and brown communities already excluded from employer-sponsored coverage. | | | | | | Become a Health Equity Ambassador in 2026 Are you ready to take action toward anti-racist policies and community health equity in Connecticut? The Health Equity Ambassador Program is seeking passionate individuals who want to develop hands-on skills in community organizing, policy advocacy and mobilizing neighbors for change. Program includes: weekly training, a stipend, food and interpretation services. Applications are open now — please apply by your county’s deadline to join a regional cohort. -
Greater Hartford County: 12/08/2025: CLOSED -
Greater Fairfield County: 1/05/2026: CLOSED - Greater New Haven County: 2/02/2026
- Greater Middlesex County: 3/02/2026
| | | | | | | | | | | | We love to highlight the work of our partners and interesting events in the health equity neighborhood. Have content to contribute? Fill out this form. We're eager to learn about what you're working on. Know someone who might be interested in receiving our newsletter? Share this subscription link! | | | | Community Health Worker (CHW) Core Competency Training - Multiple Dates Southwestern AHEC is offering a 90-hour Community Health Worker (CHW) Core Competency Training designed to strengthen CHWs’ skills in public health, social determinants of health, health equity, and client-centered service delivery. This in-person training runs January 29–March 6, 2026 and April 16–May 22, 2026 in Shelton, CT, and prepares participants for CHW certification and upcoming Medicaid reimbursement opportunities in Connecticut. | | | | | | 28-Day Anti-Racisim Challenge - February 2026 The Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement (PQI) invites you to participate in a meaningful month-long journey aimed at advancing anti-racism in perinatal care. What to expect: - A daily email delivered throughout February with a short action, reflection, or learning prompt focused on dismantling both implicit and explicit biases.
- A framework that encourages speaking up, actively engaging, and building genuine respect as part of the broader “SPEAK UP” pathway for perinatal equity.
- Flexible engagement designed for busy professionals who want to integrate anti-racism work into their everyday practice and mindset.
| | | | | | ICYMI: EMAIL GOVERNOR LAMONT TODAY: Spend the full $500 million before the February deadline - CT Families are hurting In the past few months, thousands of CT residents met with legislators, sent emails, made calls, delivered postcards, talked to neighbors, and held rallies—demanding a clear response from the Governor and legislature to federal attacks. Together we secured a $500million emergency fund for housing, food, healthcare, and other basic needs. Some of that money has started to be allocated to mitigate harms to health care coverage and homelessness programs—we applaud our government for those actions. Let's call on Governor Lamont and legislative leadership to spend the full amount available before the February 4th deadline. If they fail to spend the money, it will once again go to making additional debt payments to Wall Street.  | | | | | | | | | | Stay informed about the latest developments in health equity, social determinants of health, racial justice, and more! Every week, we feature relevant news articles and reports on our social media. Check out a few highlights below: | | - CT officials voice concerns about Trump health care plan: Connecticut health officials and lawmakers raised serious concerns about President Trump’s new health care proposal, particularly its emphasis on directing funds into health savings accounts instead of strengthening current subsidies and coverage, saying it lacks detail and could worsen access and affordability. While the plan’s transparency measures for insurers drew some cautious praise, critics argue it doesn’t adequately address rising costs or guarantee broader coverage for residents. Read the full story, HERE.
- CT health plan subsidies set to be available beginning Feb. 1: Connecticut will launch a special enrollment period starting Feb. 1 to help residents afford ACA health plans through Access Health CT, using $115 million in new state funding to offset the loss of expired federal subsidies. The state assistance will support low- and moderate-income residents, fully replacing lost subsidies for those earning 100–200% of the federal poverty level and partially replacing them for those earning 400–500%, ensuring thousands can maintain health coverage despite federal cuts. Read the full story, HERE.
| | | | | | | | Health Equity Solutions
53 Oak Street | Hartford, Connecticut 06106
860.461.7637 | info@hesct.org | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
