HB 5370 An Act Establishing A Medical Respite Pilot Program
TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 5370, An Act Establishing A Medical Respite Pilot Program. CHA supports the bill.
Connecticut hospitals make our state stronger by delivering nationally recognized, world-class care, supporting jobs and economic growth, and serving communities across Connecticut. Every day, hospitals improve access, affordability, and health equity — providing care to all patients regardless of ability to pay. At the same time, hospitals invest in their workforce and local communities, even as they navigate significant financial and federal challenges.
HB 5370 establishes pilot medical respite programs for 150 unhoused individuals in four cities across Connecticut. It sets out to explore housing as an integral part of wellness and healthcare recovery and is an innovative step in supporting throughput and discharge from acute hospital beds while creating opportunities for rest and recovery for unhoused individuals who do not require hospitalization following a medical emergency or illness.
Housing and healthcare are intrinsically connected and as such have been prioritized as recommendations and best practices across the country, with medical respite programs now located in 38 states. The National Alliance to End Homelessness’s research on medical respite programs found that they not only positively impact an individual’s post-discharge connection to community-based resources and preventive mental and physical healthcare, but can also reduce emergency department use and lengthy hospital stays.1 Connecticut hospitals support programming that applies right-sized community driven responses to social challenges and we look forward to providing thoughts and feedback as anticipated members of the planning committee.
Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.