• ICYMI: Medicaid reimbursement for CHWs public hearing was postponed Tuesday, February 21st due to network disruptions for numerous CT State branches & agencies. The rescheduled Public Hearing has not been confirmed yet but may be held Tuesday, February 28 at 11 am. 
  • Individuals will need to re-register to testify when the bulletin notice is posted. Written testimony does not need to be resubmitted. If you have signed up for HES to register you, you are all set and we will confirm once you have been registered. More details to come!
• ~ 200 people testified in support of expanding HUSKY Health to all immigrants up to age 26 last week!
• H.B. 6470, an act concerning hospital financial assistance policies has been posted—this means an opportunity to testify is coming soon!
• Agency budget hearings are next week. Some highlights from the Governor’s proposed budget and related policy proposals:
  • SB986 creates a certification program for doulas in line with recommendations from a workgroup!
  • Would erase up to $2 billion in medical debt (but does not take action to prevent future debts).
  • Provides some targeted outreach during Medicaid redeterminations (but more is needed and for longer).
  • Increases funding for the Department of Public Health’s work on health disparities.
  • Caps out-of-network charges from hospitals at Medicare rates.
  • Adds some Medicaid coverage for periodontal care.
  • Adds staff and strengthens the Office of Health Strategy’s ability to collect data related to pharmaceutical and hospital costs and the CON process.
  • Increases income and asset limits for cash assistance.
  • Funds abortions and contraceptives for some visitors to CT.
  • Funds mobile crisis interventions to be available 24/7 for children and adults.
  • Much more—see something we didn’t include? Let us know!

Other News...

• Find everything you need to know about the ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, including:
  • When it’s ending
  • How it may affect your HUSKY/CHIP, SNAP, or cash benefits; and
  • What you need to do to make sure your benefits stay active
• Partners at Health Equity Solutions, Connecticut Health Foundation, the Office of Health Strategy, and CT Association of Community Health Workers held a  forum on Monday, January 30th from 10 AM - 11:30 AM. Participants heard from key experts about Community Health Workers (CHWs), their role in addressing health inequities, AND opportunities for sustainable funding. Watch the recording here. 
• This January, the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health released their biannual report to the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Health and Appropriations Committees. The report outlines CREPH'S July – December 2022 activities and their strategic objectives for the years ahead. Read more here.
• HES and the Ministerial Health Fellowship participated in a press conference about policies to address medical debt. For more, click here.

Join the Ministerial Health Fellowship and partners on March 1st, 2022 at 9am for their 2023 Virtual Legislative Town Hall Meeting. See the flyer below for more details. Register here. 

HEALTH EQUITY 2023 IS JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY!

Health Equity Week will be held April 2 - 8, 2023. This year will serve as an opportunity to raise awareness about community health workers and doulas for their role in advancing health equity. For questions, please reach out to slew@hesct.org #HealthEquityWeek #HEW23

• Interested in sponsoring Health Equity Week please find the sponsorship package here. If you have any questions contact Shantel Graves at sgraves@hesct.org.

Updates From Our Team!...

• Health Equity Solutions recently co-authored two new publications for State Health & Value Strategies (SHVS). The first focuses on strategic community engagement to advance health equity and address systemic inequities: Transformational Community Engagement to Advance Health Equity. The second use state examples to highlight community engagement work with people affected by Medicaid to improve program outcomes: State Examples of Medicaid Community Engagement: Two Case Studies.

• Are you interested in participating in one of our workshops? We have a curated list and can work with you to develop tailored trainings or workshops to fit your organization’s or group’s needs. See a list of some of our offerings below:

  • Advocacy 101 & 102
  • Asset-Based Community Development
  • Cultural Humility
  • Health Equity – The Basics
  • Implicit Bias
  • JEDI (An Introductory Conversation Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion)
  • Racism, Anti-Racism, and Racial Equity in Healthcare
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Storytelling for Advocacy
  • Trauma-Informed & Identity-Conscious Care

If interested, please fill out this form or reach out to Kevin Collins (kcollins@hesct.org).