Capitol Update: Legislation Supported by Connecticut Hospitals, Health Systems Advance to Chamber Floors

Capitol Update: Legislation Supported by Connecticut Hospitals, Health Systems Advance to Chamber Floors

This legislative session, through unified advocacy efforts, Connecticut hospitals and health systems have helped advance numerous proposals that will enhance healthcare affordability, expand patient access, improve community health, foster healthcare innovation, and address the healthcare workforce shortage.  As legislative committees reach their Joint Favorable (JF) Deadlines this month, several bills supported by the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) have moved forward, advancing out of legislative committees and to the Connecticut House of Representatives and State Senate calendars, where they await debate and action on the floor of each chamber.

The following bills related to patient access and affordability have advanced:

• SB 1192 would make various changes to hospital financial assistance policies
• HB 7109 would expand coverage under the state medical assistance program for applied behavior analysis services and implement certain recommendations of the Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee
• HB 6975 would require a biennial study of payment parity for services under certain individual and group health insurance policies in the state and the HUSKY Health program
• SB 1538 would require an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing an expedited conservator process for emergency department patients to alleviate emergency department boarding and crowding

The following bills related to community health have advanced:

• HB 5580 would provide Medicaid coverage consistent with federal law for diabetes prevention, education and self-management programs, and medical nutrition therapy
• HB 6937 would provide Medicaid coverage for medically necessary diapers for children
• HB 6974 would require funding of tobacco control programs to prevent and reduce tobacco use at the amount recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• SB 1418 seeks to maximize state and federal resources to reduce barriers to food security

The following bill related to innovation has advanced:

• SB 1249 would implement the governor’s budget recommendations as it relates to AI

The following bills related to workforce have advanced:

• SB 1113 would study workforce development initiatives in the state
• SB 611 would limit the cost of certain occupational licenses, certificates, permits, and registration to no more than one hundred dollars per year
• SB 1450 would put certain policies and programs in place in an attempt to recruit and retain the healthcare workforce
• HB 7131 would require the Office of Workforce Strategy to identify and publicize sources of financial aid for students in paramedic certificate programs
• HB 6979 would allow retired physicians to provide free primary and behavioral healthcare at nonprofit clinics and would require the Commissioner of Public Health to establish a student loan repayment program for healthcare providers who provide primary care and behavioral health services in the state
• HB 6886 would establish a student loan reimbursement program for nurses who volunteer not fewer than 50 hours in a year providing healthcare services in a designated healthcare professional shortage area, medically underserved area, or an area with medically underserved populations
• HB 7094 would require the Office of Workforce Strategy to establish a working group to develop a plan for a grant program to increase the availability of and student participation in paid internships and work-based learning opportunities
• SB 576 would require the establishment of the Learn Here, Live Here program; increase the annual income tax segregation under such program to not more than $5 million; and make such program available only to individuals whose annual federal adjusted gross income is not more than $75,000
• SB 1259 would require the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study workforce shortages, workforce development, and training availability
• HB 6835 would adopt the national Physician Assistant Licensure Compact

Both chambers met in session on Wednesday, April 9, but did not take action on any bills directly impacting hospitals, health systems, or healthcare.  CHA will continue to provide updates on legislative activity.  The last day of the 2025 Legislative Session is Wednesday, June 4.

Click here to read CHA’s testimony.