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Immigrant advocates press Appropriations Committee to expand HUSKY coverage to age 26
Summary
Dozens of witnesses urged the Connecticut Appropriations Committee to fund an expansion of HUSKY Medicaid eligibility to income‑eligible immigrants through age 26 and to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates to improve access to care.
Dozens of residents, students and health professionals urged members of the Appropriations Committee during public comment to fund HUSKY eligibility for all income‑eligible Connecticut residents regardless of immigration status up to age 26 and to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Speakers said extending HUSKY would improve access to preventative and specialty care for immigrants and young adults who otherwise delay treatment or seek care in emergency departments. “Allowing access to health insurance would make it easier for people to deal with health and medical issues,” student John Lopez told the committee. Several speakers described family members who postponed care because of cost and urged lawmakers to use surplus funds and the rainy day fund to preserve coverage if federal dollars fall short.
Proponents argued the change would produce public‑health benefits and long‑term savings by reducing emergency care and untreated chronic illness. A number of young immigrants who testified said the lack of consistent coverage impeded school attendance and work. Healthcare professionals who testified said early and continuous access reduces severe outcomes and downstream costs.
Committee members heard multiple accounts: students (John Lopez, Bridal Linchica, Natalie Chica, Johanna Morel), organizers (Yenimar Cortez, Maria Jose Ramirez), clinicians (Dr. Karthik Rohatgi) and community members (Evelyn Lucas Moran, Monica Feijalvo) described personal and clinical harms from the existing eligibility limits. Several witnesses also asked the legislature to create a plan to eventually open HUSKY to all ages without immigration‑status restrictions.
Supporters also emphasized that raising Medicaid reimbursement rates is necessary to ensure HUSKY enrollees can actually get care if eligibility is expanded. Multiple clinicians and clinic directors warned that low reimbursement limits provider participation and creates access barriers even for current enrollees.
The public comment period produced no formal action by the committee; witnesses asked lawmakers to include the HUSKY expansion and provider rate increases in the fiscal package under consideration.
Funding details raised in testimony included requests to cover expansion up to age 26 this year and to develop a plan for broader access in subsequent years. Witnesses referenced the governor's budget (HB 6864) while asking the Appropriations Committee to revise funding priorities to preserve and expand coverage.
