HB 5427, An Act Expanding The Debt-Free Community College Program To Include Workforce Development And Continuing Education Programs

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 5427, An Act Expanding The Debt-Free Community College Program To Include Development And Continuing Education Programs.  CHA supports HB 5427 and offers safeguards to ensure sustainability and quality outcomes.

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.

CHA supports thoughtful innovation in educational pathways that responsibly accelerate entry into high-need healthcare careers.  HB 5427’s proposal to expand financial assistance to include continuing education and workforce development training has the potential to increase access to education and career training opportunities.

As CHA continues to work with state agencies, higher education partners, and workforce leaders to address critical shortages across the healthcare continuum, it is important that new educational pathways be designed with direct input from healthcare employers who will ultimately rely on this workforce.

Including continuing education programs and workforce development training within the debt-free community college program has the potential to support more rapid expansion of workforce development efforts.  These pathways may attract adult learners, individuals pursuing second careers, first-generation college students, and working students seeking a more accessible entry point into healthcare professions.  Expanding educational opportunities that reduce both cost and time to completion could also support the development of stackable credentials, allowing programs to be designed within a career-ladder framework that supports ongoing workforce advancement.  These opportunities may be particularly meaningful for individuals living in rural or underserved communities, where access to affordable education and career training pathways can be more limited.

For hospitals, this approach could strengthen key segments of the healthcare workforce, including medical assistants, behavioral health technicians, emergency medical technicians, and sterile processing technicians — roles that are essential to patient care and often difficult to fill.  Expanding access to these training pathways may help grow the workforce while providing flexibility to respond to evolving healthcare needs.

At the same time, CHA recognizes the intensity of training required and the need to maintain the highest standards in programs that prepare Connecticut’s clinical workforce.  New educational pathways must align with accreditation standards, professional licensing requirements, and employer workforce needs. Programs exploring new healthcare workforce education models should be developed collaboratively with hospitals, higher education institutions, licensing boards, and workforce agencies to jointly evaluate the model. Outcome tracking and workforce data should guide long-term expansion or adoption of these programs by Connecticut’s higher education institutions.

Thank you for your consideration of our position.  For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.