Support for Our Seniors & Protections for Those with Medical Debt

May 14, 2024

The House passed several key Democratic priorities during the legislative session including a law that will protect and prioritize seniors. Keep scrolling to find out how this measure gives those folks the attention and resources they deserve.

Another new law will soon protect anyone with medical debt in Connecticut. I'll dig deeper in how we are helping individuals and families who still need to pay off significant hospital bills.

It's Food Allergy Awareness Week. I'll break down the steps you should take if you see someone is having an allergic reaction to food they just consumed.

You will find the following sections below:

  • Supporting Our Seniors
  • New Law Will Protect Consumers with Medical Debt
  • Veterans Suit Drive
  • National Police Week
  • Food Allergy Awareness Week
 
Supporting Our Seniors
As the elderly population steadily grows, there is an urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community. During the 2024 legislative session, we took a significant step to achieving that goal by passing House Bill 5001, a top priority for House Democrats this session.

HB 5001, which now awaits the governor’s signature, protects and prioritizes elderly residents in our state. This bill:

  • Makes it easier for seniors to age in place
  • Creates a nursing home database, providing consumers with an easy and reliable way to compare locations around the state
  • Establishes incentives to encourage nursing homes to improve care

I am glad to co-sponsor a bill that gives seniors the attention and resources they deserve.
 

A medida que la población de personas mayores crece constantemente, existe una urgencia en proveer recursos y asistencia a esta comunidad. Durante la Sesión Legislativa de 2024, dimos un paso significativo hacia adelante en ese objetivo al aprobar el Proyecto de Ley 5001, una prioridad principal para los demócratas de la Cámara de Representantes en esta sesión.

HB 5001, que ahora espera la firma del gobernador, protege y prioriza a los residentes de mayor edad en nuestro estado. Este proyecto de ley:

  • Facilita que los adultos mayores envejezcan en sus hogares
  • Crea una base de datos de residencias de envejecientes, brindando a los consumidores una manera fácil y confiable de comparar ubicaciones en todo el estado
  • Establece incentivos para animar a las residencias de ancianos que mejoren servicios

Me complace apoyar un proyecto de ley que brinda a los adultos mayores la atención y los recursos que merecen.
 
New Law Will Protect Consumers with Medical Debt
Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill into law banning health care providers and hospitals in Connecticut from giving away a person’s medical debt for use in credit reports. The measure also voids any medical debt that is reported to credit rating agencies.

We have seen far too many people unfairly suffer from poor credit scores because they had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on necessary medical care. This law will protects individuals and families while simultaneously giving them opportunities to pursue dreams such as buying a house.

I am proud to support this law, which is Public Act 24-6 and takes effect July 1.
 
Veterans Suit Drive
My colleagues and I collected suits, dresses, shirts, ties, belts, and purses so that our veterans can dress for success! Numerous legislators, staff, and friends donated an abundance of clothing as part of the Save A Suit Veterans Suit Drive. We will ensure these clothes will get into the hands of veterans across the state. Thank you to all who donated and made this drive so successful.
 
National Police Week

National Police Week offers honor, remembrance, and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

During National Police Week, organizers engraved the name of fallen Hartford Police Detective Bobby Garten on a national police monument in Washington, D.C. I would like to send my deepest sympathies to the Garten family and thank all of our police officers in Connecticut for their hard work each day.
 
Food Allergy Awareness Week

It’s Food Allergy Awareness Week, which is a time to educate people about food allergies, including how to support family, friends, and colleagues who have the disease.

Connecticut is a leader in this field after passing Public Act 23-115 last year. The law requires businesses to display posters in their kitchen for staff identifying the most common allergens, the actions staff should take upon notification, ways to prevent cross contamination, and what to do should a reaction occur.

If you or someone you know has a food allergy, you know how scary a reaction can be. For those not as familiar, here are the steps you should take if you find yourself in a situation where someone is having symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number.

Ask if the person is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack.

If the person needs to use an autoinjector, ask if you should help inject the medication. This is usually done by pressing the autoinjector against the person's thigh.

Have the person lie face up and be still.

Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give the person anything to drink.

If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person to the side to prevent choking. If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR. Do uninterrupted chest presses — about 100 every minute — until paramedics arrive.

Remember - don't wait to see whether symptoms get better. Seek emergency treatment right away. In severe cases, untreated anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour!