Public Health Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5677
AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE
Title: PREVENTION SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID.
Vote Date: 3/26/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/24/2021
File No.: 427
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Public Health Committee
Rep. Ritter, Rep. Gilchrest & Rep. Hall
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill addresses the issue of Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention
services. The bill also specifies the requirements for qualification as a violence prevention
professional.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, MD, MPH, Connecticut Department of Public Health
While the Department appreciates this concept and is not opposed to defining the certification
requirements for a violence prevention professional, we typically rely on national professional
organizations that have studied evidence-based criteria for certification that are developed
with individuals actively involved in the particular profession.
Upon further review, the Department has determined that the Health Alliance for Violence
Intervention does not currently have a certification program. As of now, no such accrediting
bodies exist, and DPH would be unable to fulfill this obligation. If defining the certification
requirement evolves into a recommendation to license, certify, or provide other regulatory
oversight of this profession, the Department will be unable to do so within existing resources.
Connecticut Department of Social Services
The Department commends the goals of this legislation and agrees with the concept of the
bill. DSS supports efforts to reduce community violence and the subsequent emergency
department visits and will review the literature and evidence from other state programs and
locally. However, because these services are not included in the Governors recommended
budget, the Department cannot support this bill.
Matthew Ritter, Speaker of the House, Connecticut General Assembly
In the wake of yet another mass-shooting, I implore the Public Health Committee to support
community violence prevention programs whose work serves victims of violent crimes by
providing traumainformed case management and referrals to critical services like mental
health treatment, housing, and other basic needs.
The bill contemplates the expansion of programs already in operation in Philadelphia and in
development state-wide in California. By recognizing and subsequently licensing these
providers through DPH, we will enable the leveraging of federal Medicaid dollars to better
support this work.
Undoubtedly, these programs serve victims first and foremost. But the committee should also
consider their value in preventing future acts of violence on our criminal justice and health
care systems, and all our communities.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Connecticut Hospital Association
Connecticut hospitals have been collaborating with community partners for years to advance
trauma-informed case management services to victims of violence, with the common goals of
starting the healing process, supporting victims and their families, and preventing further
violence.
Violence prevention professionals often make an initial connection with victims while they are
still in the hospital. They are available to victims and their families to coordinate victim
assistance services under the Victims of Crime Act, connect victims with mental health
services, including brief trauma-focused therapy, coordinate post-discharge medical follow-up
for the treatment of injuries, connect victims with opportunities for employment and
educational advancement, and coordinate referrals to community-based services for food,
clothing, and legal advocacy.
HB 5677 will establish a unified, consistent, and sustainable statewide process for
Connecticut hospitals, government agencies, and community-based violence intervention
programs to deliver targeted case management services to victims of violence and their
families. This coordinated approach will also enable these partners to generate, share, and
benefit from evidence-based data to develop best practices.
Kevin Borrup, Executive Director of the Injury Prevention Center, Connecticut
Childrens Medical Center
10% of childrens overall health and well-being is determined by the health care services they
receive while 80 to 90% of our desired outcomes for children are driven by social,
environmental, and behavioral factors.
Connecticut Childrens along with many of our hospital and community-based partners who
are testifying today are currently working together to strengthen existing hospital-based
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violence intervention programs (HVIPs) and to build new programs and partnerships where
they do not exist already.
By authorizing Medicaid coverage for these services, hospital-based programs will be
strengthened in their capacity to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by
violence.
James Dodington, Pediatric Emergency Physician, Medical Director of the Center for
Injury and Violence Prevention, Yale New Haven Hospital.
Through this legislation, we have the opportunity to advance care for victims of violence in
Connecticut and prevent further injuries and needless loss of life.
Violence intervention programs across the state are in need of consistent funding to support
the community-based, collaborative outreach that is the core of programmatic success, in
short, the work of violence prevention professionals.
HB 5677 will provide the momentum needed to grow violence intervention programs across
our state and provide services to victims throughout CT.
Kelly McConney Moore, Interim Senior Policy Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union
of Connecticut (ACLU-CT)
Police violence cannot be effectively addressed without reducing the role, responsibilities,
and presence of police. This means diverting funds from policing to instead build safe and
healthy communities.
Community-based programming that prevents or interrupts violence without police
intervention is one incredibly important component of building safe communities, addressing
and treating root causes of violence, and, eventually, moving away from reliance on police.
House Bill 5677 creates a framework for prioritizing and funding violence prevention services
and, in doing so, supports new models of community safety.
Fatimah Loren Dreier, Executive Director, The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention
Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) vary in the specifics of their design
and scope, but typically include a brief intervention in the hospital followed by intensive
community-based case management services in the months following the injury. HVIPs serve
violently injured victims who may be disconnected from traditional institutions and are thus
difficult to reach.
Violence prevention professionals provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, links to
community-based services, mentoring, home visits, and long-term case management.
Unfortunately, funding for HVIPs has not kept up with the need. The result is that this
approach is understaffed and underutilized, allowing violence to continue in our communities.
H.B. 5677 offers a smart and proactive approach to address community violence. With or
without action, Connecticuts Medicaid program is expected to remain the single largest payer
for emergency department charges following violent injuries, highlighting the importance of
implementing a preventive strategy.
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Additional Sources of Support include:
Amy Bieniek, Moms Demand Action, West Hartford
Laura Kabel Bridgeport
Jeremy Stein Executive Director CT Against Gun Violence
Carl Hardrick, Violence Prevention Professional (VPP), Wilson Gray YMCA
Jewish Community Relations Council
Ari Cruz, Case Manager, Hartford Care Response Team
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
There was no testimony in opposition to this bill
Reported by: David Rackliffe Date: April 17, 2021
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