Human Services Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-956
AN ACT PROVIDING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
Title: REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.
Vote Date: 4/1/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/11/2021
File No.:
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:
Human Services Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill addresses one aspect of an important public health issue: the lack of health care
coverage for all Connecticut residents. This bill would require the Commissioner of Social
Services to provide medical assistance to those who meet eligibility guidelines, regardless of
immigration status, within available appropriations. Currently, Connecticut provides
healthcare insurance coverage to its most vulnerable low-income residents but leaves out
people due to their immigration status. This bill would expand coverage of Medicaid (HUSKY
A, C, and D). It would also provide coverage through the Childrens Health Insurance
Program (also known as CHIP or HUSKY B), which is both state and federally funded, and
federal funding is not currently available for undocumented children. This bill would ensure
health care access for all Connecticut residents who meet the income guidelines.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Deidre Gifford, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services
Commissioner Gifford explained that while the Department appreciates the intent of this bill,
they cannot support it. Coverage is currently provided to those who reside lawfully in
Connecticut, who meet income criteria, and it includes pregnant women and children who
have been lawful residents for less than 5 years. All individuals, regardless of immigration
status, can receive federally-reimbursable treatment for a medical emergency, when they
meet the other eligibility criteria.
Commissioner Gifford added that the federal government covers at least half of HUSKY costs
(depending on the program), and if undocumented people were covered, federal matching
funds would not be available for that expanded coverage. She estimates the annual cost to
the state would be approximately $195 million. She noted, "the Department estimates that
5,850 children could become eligible under HUSKY A, 13,350 adult parent/caretakers could
become eligible under HUSKY A, 322 children could become eligible under HUSKY B, and
17,388 adults could become eligible under HUSKY D." The cost estimates are uncertain, and
these estimates do not include administrative costs.
Given that this added coverage would need to be provided within available appropriations,
Commissioner Gifford shared the concern regarding the impact this legislation would have on
provision of services: whether the scope of services would need to be limited, or whether
fewer people would be able to be covered. She concluded that the lack of available
appropriations prevents the Department from supporting this bill.
Commissioner Gifford did note that the Governor proposed HB 6447, which would provide
$50 million per year for focused Medicaid expansions to reduce the state's uninsured rate.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Senator Martin Looney, President Pro-Tempore
Senator Looney stated he supports this bill in order to advance health equity in Connecticut.
He shared that an estimated 23% of uninsured people in the state are immigrants without
legal status, people who are ineligible for Medicaid and are unable to purchase health
insurance on the exchange. He concluded that a lack of health insurance adversely affects
this community and society as a whole.
David Michel, State Representative-146th District, Connecticut General Assembly
Rep. Michel expressed support for this bill, and stated he believes health care is a human
right. He explained that although our country does not provide the same medical coverage as
others do, we still have a duty to protect all the people of our state, regardless of their socio-
economic, ethnic, religious or immigration status. He added that this matter is more urgent
than ever.
Justin Elicker, Mayor, City of New Haven
Mayor Elicker shared his support for this bill as he believes that "limiting eligibility of
healthcare based on immigration status is both morally wrong and practically foolish." He
noted that not only does each resident deserve dignity and respect, but undocumented
immigrants contribute greatly to their communities, and pay local, state and federal taxes.
Mayor Elicker stated that they should not be locked out of a program they are paying for,
particularly during a pandemic that has disproportionately affected communities of color. He
added that it is the sacred duty of those in public office to serve all people, and to provide
support to those who need it the most.
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Other Sources of Support:
Over 250 people submitted testimony in support of SB 956. Many who expressed support
also urged that all residents who qualify under the full current HUSKY eligibility criteria be
covered. Some testimony that was offered in support also requested the bill remove the
caveat of being funded within available appropriations.
Organizations submitting testimony:
ACLU-CT
Black and Brown United in Action
Center for Childrens Advocacy
Connecticut Childrens Medical Center
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Connecticut Communist Party USA
Connecticut Health Policy Project
Connecticut Hospital Association
CT Immigration Lawyers Association
Connecticut Legal Rights Project
Connecticut Oral Health Initiative
Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible
CT Students for a Dream
Connecticut Voices for Children
Connecticut Womens Education and Legal Fund
CT Working Families
Fair Haven Community Health Care
Generations Family Health Center
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Hartford Deportation Defense
Hartford Health Care
Haven Free Clinic
Health Equity Solutions
Hispanic Health Council
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut
National Association of Social Workers
New Haven Legal Assistance Association
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Semilla Collective
SEIU 32BJ
Stamford Health
United Action Connecticut
Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut
Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital & Yale Department of Pediatrics
In addition to people submitting testimony on behalf of these organizations, there were also
students, educators, social workers, dentists, ministers and counselors among those who
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submitted testimony. Medical professionals and medical students also submitted testimony,
including over 30 individuals, and over 300 signors of an advocacy document.
Many people who have direct experience of being denied healthcare due to their immigration
status shared testimony, as well as members of the community advocating on their behalf.
Countless firsthand experiences were shared, illustrating profound medical, financial and
emotional impacts of not having access to health care. Many people described situations in
which they or their family members would forgo or delay seeking care, resulting in adverse
outcomes, including preventable deaths.
In their testimony, many people who are undocumented described some of the issues they
experienced in accessing or attempting to access care. Several people expressed their fear
of being separated from their families as a result of requesting care, due to their immigration
status. Many people shared experiences of feeling discriminated against during the course of
treatment and receiving no care or substandard care. Numerous people detailed the resulting
bills they incurred, and were unable to pay, and their ensuing struggle with medical debt.
Much of the testimony highlighted the consequences for families without healthcare: they
experience food insecurity, economic instability, and stress. Their mental health is often
affected, and lack of medical care frequently impacts their ability to work, attend school, and
ultimately to have productive, successful lives. Some testimony elaborated on how these
situations are made even more challenging when a person has a parent or a child with unmet
medical needs.
The testimony that was submitted frequently stated that health care should be a human right,
and that the current system exacerbates structural inequities. It was often noted that the
undocumented community has also been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Many others highlighted the public health impact of communicable diseases being left
untreated.
Much of the testimony explained the medical and financial implications of people not
receiving preventative care, health screenings, diagnostic tests, dental care, prenatal care,
and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation. When people without insurance require care,
they are treated in hospitals, which is more expensive than preventative care and is also
generally more complex care. Instances were described where patients could not be
discharged from the hospital, as home care would have been required and was not covered.
Other testimony pointed out that due to the severity of the cases, people without insurance
are often readmitted to hospitals, and people without insurance experience higher mortality
rates. Several testifiers also noted that volunteer clinics are helpful but inadequate, due to
limited hours and treatments offered.
Many people who submitted testimony cited statistics; some of the frequently mentioned ones
were that 45% of undocumented people do not have health insurance, which includes 13,000
children without coverage. Numerous testifiers noted that in Connecticut, undocumented
people pay $145 million in state and local taxes, and they cannot access a benefit system to
which they are contributing. These people are often essential workers, including those who
work in the food industry, elder care and child care. One statistic cited was the $806 million
that was spent by hospitals on uncompensated care in FY 2019. Those costs are eventually
passed on to the public, in the form of higher taxes and insurance premiums
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Lastly, numerous pieces of testimony noted that 6 other states, plus the District of Columbia,
now provide health coverage to undocumented children up the age of 18.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: Heather Ferguson-Hull Date: April 15, 2021
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Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HS Joint Favorable:
File No. 516:
APP Joint Favorable: