SB 576, An Act Requiring The Establishment Of The Learn Here, Live Here Program, Increasing The Annual Expenditure On Such Program And Making Such Program Available To Certain Individuals

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE

Thursday, March 6, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 576, An Act Requiring The Establishment Of The Learn Here, Live Here Program, Increasing The Annual Expenditure On Such Program And Making Such Program Available To Certain Individuals. CHA supports this bill.

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.

SB 576 proposes to require the establishment of the “Learn Here, Live Here” program, which currently is optional. The program would encourage participants to purchase their first home in the state. The program would be overseen by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. This initiative is an important step in addressing both workforce development and housing access, which are critical to retaining talent in Connecticut.

CHA recognizes the legislature’s ongoing focus on workforce development and fully supports efforts to recruit and retain professionals in the healthcare sector. Retaining skilled healthcare workers is equally as important as recruitment, and SB 576 provides a valuable opportunity to help workers and their families establish roots in Connecticut. The program would encourage both personal and professional growth, ensuring that healthcare professionals can thrive in the state long-term.

Connecticut hospitals are working to support their workers and are at the forefront of creating new ways to keep hospital workers resilient and enhance retention and recruitment.

Providing financial incentives, identifying opportunities for career advancement, and supporting continuing education are important ways hospitals are bolstering the workforce. Additionally, hospitals are partnering with colleges and technical schools to develop curricula and training to support future healthcare needs, and they are identifying the clinical placements that will be needed to support this enhanced training.

Together, we can build on the investments already made to expand educational and training opportunities, ease the path to careers in healthcare, support workforce retention, and enhance the safety of current and future healthcare workers. We must maintain our progress in supporting and growing the healthcare workforce. SB 576 would contribute to the all-hands-on-deck approach we need to meet the employment demands in the healthcare field.

Additionally, we encourage the committee to review the Comptroller’s 2025 Healthcare Cabinet Report and its workforce recommendations. CHA supports the report’s recommendations, which, complementary to this bill, call for providing tuition repayment and loan repayment for individuals pursuing careers in healthcare.

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