Connecticut

CT high school students advocate for expanding HUSKY health care

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

CT high school students advocate for expanding HUSKY health care

Advocates and Connecticut youth are pushing for expanding state Medicaid coverage for residents, including immigrants, up to 18 years old. Students from different districts adopted varied approaches: some gave up a day of their spring break to travel to the Capitol, while others skipped school to attend training sessions at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford Wednesday morning. Alongside immigration supporters, the students learned how to make their voices heard.

Eric Cruz Lopez, a program coordinator at Connecticut Students for a Dream, said he believes there is support for expanding eligibility for Connecticut’s Medicaid program known as HUSKY.

“We just don’t have the money that’s been allocated up to 18,” Lopez said. “Because we know that there’s a lot of people in our community — our staff, our members — who need help.”

While last year’s bipartisan budget approved expanding HUSKY eligibility through age 15 starting July 1, 2024; Lopez and advocates are pushing for coverage up to 18 years old.

Ayannah Brown

Connecticut Public

High school student, Emmy de Leon from Danbury, Connecticut holds up a sign that says “No one should have to choose between health and financial stability” as her and other high school students and immigrant advocates with CT Students for a Dream prepare to head into the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Connecticut to meet with legislators to push for extended access to healthcare.

Students, ranging from 14-to-18 years old, from various cities, including New Haven, Danbury, Hartford and West Hartford, many of whom are immigrants themselves, shared their personal stories and experiences with health care access.

Dorys Yanbay, originally from Ecuador and a 15-year-old student in Danbury, said ensuring access to health care is not just a matter of personal importance, but a fundamental human right.

“Many people here don’t have the security to go to the hospital or go and get medical attention,” Yanbay said.

Jermy Rodriguez is a 16-year-old originally from the Dominican Republic currently residing in Danbury. Despite needing medical attention, he recounted instances where he and his family without insurance couldn’t afford necessary treatments.

“There was a time I couldn’t access a dentist and I actually needed real attention,” Rodriguez said. “My annual checkup, I haven’t had one since like two years ago or so. We should tell politicians that this is a really serious issue within the state of Connecticut.”

High school students and immigrant advocates with CT Students for a Dream walk through the Legislative Office building to the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut to talk to legislators about a push for the approval of expanded healthcare on April 17th, 2024.

State Sen. Matt Lesser, a Democrat, chanted with advocates on Wednesday. Lesser said expanding HUSKY health care would cost $1.9 million next year. He said it’s a relatively small investment in the context of a $25 billion annual budget.

Connecticut Public reached out to the state Senate Republican party for their comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Lesser said while they hope for expansion he remains proud of the success of extending HUSKY health care eligibility to all children 15 and younger last year, which he said served over 14,000 children across the state.

Source link

Connecticut

Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies

Published

5 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Connecticut and the city of New Haven, arguing their “sanctuary” policies illegally interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, targets Connecticut’s “Trust Act” and local rules that limit cooperation with federal authorities.

Named in the suit are Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

Federal officials claim these policies violate the U.S. Constitution and allow “dangerous criminals” to be released into the community instead of being handed over to federal agents.

“This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.

The move is part of a broader federal crackdown on sanctuary cities, with similar legal actions recently filed against Los Angeles, New York City, and Boston.

Source link

Connecticut

Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic

Published

17 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Lawmakers put aside politics on Monday for a good cause, going head-to-head on the field.

Democrats took on Republicans in the Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. All ticket sales go towards charity, with this year’s recipient being United Way of Connecticut.

The Democrats won for the second year in a row, the Republicans had a three-year win streak previously.

“It’s great, especially because we’re coming into the real heat of the legislative session, so it’s a lot of fun to be out here,” State Rep. Jason Doucette (D) said. “We have a fun time with our friends across the aisle.”

“United Way is a great organization, a statewide organization, and all of our local United Ways,” Former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides (R) said. “Especially in this day and age, people need so much help just for their everyday activities and keeping their families going, so we’re just really proud to have them be our charity this year.”

Lawmakers on both sides encouraged Connecticut residents to support their local United Way organization however they can.

Source link

Connecticut

This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability

Livability released its annual list of small to mid-sized cities throughout the nation where residents can “truly thrive,” according to its website. Livability analyzed more than 100 data points in eight essential categories to measure a city’s overall health and “fun factor.”

The Fairfield County city was named to the list for being “home to a charming downtown, excellent schools, an arts community” and its proximity to New York City.

Danbury ranked high for its health, safety and amenities such as dining variety and access to parks and museums. Livability highlighted places in the city such as Danbury Museum, Railway Museum, Danbury Music Centre, Ives Concert Park, The Palace Danbury, Aldrich Museum, Danbury Ice Arena, Thrillz Park, Tarrywile Park and the Danbury Fair Mall.

Some of Livability’s top reasons to move to Danbury include the city being a “commuter’s dream,” as it is 50 miles from New York City and an hour from Hartford. The website also stated that Danbury is “affordable” compared to other Connecticut cities, with a median home value of $417,303, an average household income of $91,100 and median monthly rent of $1,679.

Livability also described Danbury as a “regional powerhouse for retail and health care” and stated that it was “one of the most diverse cities in the country” for its culinary and cultural scenes.

Danbury previously was named to Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.” list in 2024 and 2025.

Source link