 | | | Friend, welcome to Health Equity Solutions' monthly newsletter! | | | | | | | | | | The Fight for Affordable Housing Continues On June 23rd, Governor Lamont vetoed HB 5002. Although the omnibus housing reform had passed both the House (84–67) and Senate (20–15) with bipartisan support introducing measures like "middle housing" in commercial zones, transit-oriented development incentives, and expanded fair‑rent commissions, the governor blocked it due to concerns about preserving municipal control over zoning. Lawmakers are now likely to revisit a revised version during a special session later this year. Call or write Governor Lamont directly: (860) 566-4840 or (800) 406-1527. Let him know why affordable housing matters in your community. | | | | | | Senate Bill 7 Stalls After House Passage On May 29th, the CT House passed Senate Bill 7: An Act Concerning Protections for Access to Health Care and the Equitable Delivery of Health Care Services in the State. The bill was approved with amendments but the Senate took “disagreeing action” and tabled the measure for the calendar, meaning it’s currently paused and has not been enacted into law. Let's continue to urge our lawmakers to act NOW to protect essential health care services for all Connecticut residents. Contact your Senator and urge them to bring Senate Bill 7 back for a vote and support its passage. | | | | | | | | | | Ayesha R. Clarke and Senator Blumenthal Address Medicaid Cuts and Black Maternal Health On June 19th, Senator Blumenthal held a press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to express concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts. The concern is that these cuts could worsen disparities for Black women who are three times more likely than white women to die during child birth, and 64% rely on Medicaid for childbirth coverage. “This should be a human right and if we’re taking that away with a system that is already designed to fail individuals, we’ll see progression in deaths,” shared our Executive Director Ayesha R. Clarke. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 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! | | | | Undoing Racism - June 27- 29th The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, in partnership with the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut and the Wesleyan University College of the Environment is hosting an intensive, interactive workshop designed to explore how race and racism are constructed and maintained in our society and how we can challenge the systems that uphold them. Participants will analyze class, power, and institutional dynamics while developing the tools to be more effective organizers for justice. The workshop will be held June 27-29th. For more info, contact srabera@universalhealthct.org. | | | | | | Accompaniment Training - July 19th In the Neighborhood: Calling all volunteers! Join Make the Road Connecticut for their Accompaniment Training for Volunteers and learn how you can support immigrant rights and stand with their members. The training will be held on Saturday, July 19 (10 AM - 2 PM) at Make the Road CT, 87 Washington Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604. For more info contact, Sonia Hernandez at sonia.hernandez@maketheroadct.org or Wendy Cardenas at wendy.cardenas@maketheroadct.org | | | | | | | | 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: | | - From housing to child care, these are the major bills the CT legislature passed this year: Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session wrapped up with a major two‑year, $55.8 billion budget that includes a $300 million child‑care trust to add 16,000 preschool and day-care slots by 2030, fully subsidized for families earning under $100K and raises $60 million for special education funding. Lawmakers also passed zoning reforms aimed at increasing affordable housing, introduced electricity-bill relief measures, and approved a $250 earned-income tax credit for working families. Read the full story HERE.
- Commission On Racial Equity Recounts Victories, Challenges Of Legislative Session: Connecticut’s Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health celebrated key wins this session, including the passage of Public Acts 25‑93 and 25‑82 to expand childcare access and PA 25‑94 to launch a hospital financial assistance portal, while also advancing protections for contraceptive access, abortion, and gender-affirming care. However, the group remains vigilant, urging Gov. Lamont to sign the pending housing reform (HB 5002) and lamenting stripped provisions from health-insurance legislation that would have strengthened insurer accountability. Read the full story HERE.
- LGBTQ+ Panel Discusses Challenges, Opportunities During Pride Month: Connecticut's Pride Month kicked off with a candid panel at the Legislative Office Building, centering on mental health, equity, and ongoing challenges in the LGBTQ+ community. Panelists emphasized the importance of supportive adults and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, highlighted the harmful effects of federal hostility toward trans individuals, and urged authentic allyship, reminding attendees that Pride is as much about open dialogue and well-being as it is celebration. Read the full story HERE.
- Federal budget bill could threaten ‘HUSKY for immigrants’ in CT: Connecticut’s “HUSKY for Immigrants” program currently provides state-funded health coverage to roughly 15,600 children and 3,200 postpartum women regardless of their immigration status but a proposed federal budget could penalize states that offer such benefits. While Governor Lamont insists Connecticut will “act in the best interest of residents,” advocates warn this could undermine care for vulnerable families unless the state stands firm in both court and budget negotiations. Read the full story HERE.
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53 Oak Street | Hartford, Connecticut 06106
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