HB 6229, An Act Concerning A Reduction Of Single-Use Plastics And Polystyrene Waste

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Monday, March 17, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 6229, An Act Concerning A Reduction Of Single-Use Plastics And Polystyrene Waste. CHA seeks clarifying language to the bill as written.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems care for patients, strengthen the state’s economy, and support vulnerable communities across the state. Every day, they work to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health equity. Even as they face ongoing challenges, hospitals provide world-class care to everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospitals also support an exemplary workforce as the largest collective employer in the state, contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and invest in their communities addressing social drivers of health.

While CHA and its members are supportive of efforts to reduce the use of polystyrene waste and single-use plastics, the prohibitions set forth in Section 1 of the bill would be extremely onerous in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Many patients in these facilities require various accommodations due to physical disabilities, and many require delivery of meals via tube-feeding for extended periods of time. It would be untenable, cost-prohibitive, and likely impossible in some cases to purchase the necessary supplies if the restrictions set forth in the section were applied in these particular settings.

For this reason, we respectfully ask the committee to consider inserting the following new subsection into Section 1:

(e) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to any patient care unit in any hospital or rehabilitation facility.

By including this new subsection, the committee will be making it clear that Connecticut hospitals and rehabilitation facilities are not included within the scope of this prohibition.

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