WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/08/26
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on Monday joined Stamford city officials and healthcare leaders at the Stamford Hospital campus to spotlight ongoing efforts across the state dedicated to helping HUSKY D members keep their health coverage in the face of upcoming federal Medicaid eligibility changes.
At the event, officials touted the Stamford HUSKY Stay Covered Task Force — one of several community-based initiatives forming across the state to raise awareness of the changes and connect residents with resources to maintain their coverage. In Stamford, the local initiative was created through a partnership between Stamford Health, the city of Stamford, and local organizations, to educate residents about new Medicaid requirements, provide hands-on enrollment and renewal assistance, and help eligible individuals navigate work, training, and exemption pathways.
Attendees at Monday’s event included Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons; Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves; Maria Millan, outreach coordinator for the City of Stamford Health and Human Services Department; and Stamford Health Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Ben Wade.
Starting January 1, 2027, HUSKY D members aged 19 to 64 who do not qualify for an exemption to the new requirements will need to meet and show proof of satisfying at least one of the following to maintain HUSKY D coverage:
- Earn $580+ per month
- Complete 80 hours per month of qualifying unpaid work, community service or volunteer work, job training, school, or a combination totaling 80 hours
Certain individuals are exempt from the requirement, including those who are disabled or medically frail, pregnant or in a postpartum period, parents and caretakers of children under 14 years of age or people with disabilities, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and certain others. The federal changes also require HUSKY D members to renew their coverage every six months, instead of once a year.
Expanding Local Keep Your Health Coverage Coalitions
As Connecticut hospitals prepare for federal Medicaid eligibility changes that take effect in January — including new work requirements, more frequent redeterminations, and shorter retroactive eligibility periods — they are actively collaborating with state agencies, municipal leaders, community-based organizations, and local stakeholders to prevent avoidable coverage loss and sustain access to routine care.
These statewide coalitions are working hard to raise awareness among individuals and communities most affected, especially HUSKY D members. Hospitals are amplifying awareness of the upcoming changes through direct HUSKY D member outreach and education, mapping local opportunities for members to fulfill eligibility requirements, and training healthcare providers and community partners to operationalize compliance pathways.
To support the formation and coordination of local coalitions, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) has developed the Keep Your Health Coverage Coalition Playbook, a guide designed to give hospitals and community partners a practical starting structure for organizing local readiness work.
All current and future CHA HUSKY D messaging materials and coalition resources are available for download at cthosp.org/huskyd.
Related News:
New HUSKY D Outreach and Education Guide and Updated Messaging Starter Kit Materials
