HB 7156, An Act Concerning The Department Of Developmental Services’ Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions To Developmental Services Statutes

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

Monday, March 10, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 7156, An Act Concerning The Department Of Developmental Services’ Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions To Developmental Services Statutes. CHA supports the concept in Sections 1 and 2 of the bill, but we ask that you consider the clarifying substitute language changes discussed below.

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.

CHA believes the intention of the bill is to allow trained personnel at Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) facilities to give patients medications that are typically self-administered. There should be an easy way to provide help to residents in this population and setting without DDS needing to engage specific licensed personnel. That makes good sense for residents and is an effective deployment and use of DDS and healthcare resources.

We believe the medications allowed in the bill were meant to include those that are customarily self-administered for the management of allergic reactions or diabetes. To ensure the right list of interventions is covered by the bill, we suggest the following language to replace lines 27-32 (and delete the changes to 20-14i at the beginning of the section):

or (4) the administration of epinephrine to treat an acute allergic reaction or insulin to treat diabetes for persons residing in facilities licensed or certified by the Department of Developmental Services when the administration is delivered through autoinjector by trained nurses or medication administration certified staff who have received specialized training in the administration of the autoinjector device.

Additionally, CHA met with DDS in an effort to streamline certain oversight processes that DDS performs pursuant to Section 17a-210 and specifically to ensure providers have clarity on what information they are allowed, or required, to share with DDS.

The outcome of those discussions led to the following suggested changes to law. We appreciate the department’s input and willingness to work with us on this important issue. Add the following to the end of subsection (a) of Section 17a-210 of the General Statutes:

Medical providers shall cooperate with the department in its investigation or review of events under this subsection (a), including by providing medical or other information as may be requested by the department to the extent permitted by federal law, including HIPAA. When making requests for protected health information, the department shall inform the provider of the provision or sections of HIPAA that permit the provider to disclose the information to the department.

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