State lawmakers tell Norwalk commission they will push for higher Medicaid rates, reproductive-care protections and childcare funding

Members of a Norwalk City commission heard from state legislators on a range of gender-equity priorities on the legislative calendar, including proposals to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates, expand funding for reproductive-health providers, and pursue childcare and lactation-policy changes.

The conversation on state priorities centered on access to care and workforce concerns in Connecticut’s health system, plus planned work on reproductive-rights protections, endometriosis research and programs for families affected by immigration enforcement. Commissioners also asked the lawmakers about protections for undocumented children and for ways the commission and residents can track and influence bills.

Shannon O'Toole Janderco, co-chair of the commission, introduced the discussion and noted the group had finished its agenda in time to hear the lawmakers’ briefing. Representative Gilchrist, a state lawmaker who chairs the House human services committee, said increasing Medicaid rates is “one of the top priorities this year.” He added, “About a third of Connecticut residents receive their healthcare through Medicaid and the rates ... haven't been increased ... since 2007.”

Gilchrist said the low reimbursement rates are both an access and a workforce problem because providers have limited…