Month: March 2020

Lesser Applauds New Request for a 60-day Grace Period for Insurance Premium Payments

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Lesser Applauds New Request for a 60-day Grace Period for Insurance Premium Payments

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), who serves as Senate Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, applauded today’s decision by the Connecticut Insurance Department to request that all insurance companies provide their insureds with at least a 60-day grace period to pay insurance premiums so that insurance policies are not cancelled for nonpayment of premium.

The Bulletin, Bulletin IC-40, can be found on the Insurance Department’s website here: https://portal.ct.gov/CID/Bulletins/Current-List-of-Bulletins.

“I strongly support Commissioner Mais’ bulletin giving residents and businesses a 60 day grace period for canceling insurance coverage,” said Sen. Lesser, “and I urge Connecticut insurers to swiftly comply.”

“This is a big deal for families and businesses. This is the kind of protective action that will keep Connecticut residents safe. In difficult financial times, loss of insurance can accelerate financial problems for individuals dealing with loss of income or closure of a business. This is particularly important in light of the COVID-19 outbreak; this move protects them from potentially losing health insurance during this pandemic, which could lead to disastrous consequences.”

Senators Anwar, Haskell Encourage Donations of Personal Protective Equipment to Connecticut Hospitals, Health Care Workers

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Senators Anwar, Haskell Encourage Donations of Personal Protective Equipment to Connecticut Hospitals, Health Care Workers

Today, State Senators Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and Will Haskell (D-Westport) asked members of the public, businesses and organizations with stocks of personal protective equipment including facial masks, respirators, eye protection and disinfectant to donate those supplies, if possible, to local hospitals and health care workers battling the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals continue to report shortages of these important protective supplies that could lead to increased illness, further straining health care infrastructure during the difficult COVID-19 outbreak.

“My Senate District has become the front line in the war against COVID-19, with dozens of infections and several deaths already in towns including Westport and New Canaan. Hospitals are beginning what will be an extensive battle against the virus,” said Sen. Haskell. “We know for a fact that hospitals are struggling to obtain adequate amounts of personal protective equipment, and while the supply chain is ramping up, there could be a weeks-long lag in those supplies reaching those who need them. Construction and utility companies, among many other businesses, may have stocks of N95 respirators and other important supplies right now. We encourage them to donate them, if possible, to local health care providers. They could save many lives.”

“To effectively battle COVID-19 and save as many lives as possible, health care professionals cannot themselves fall ill,” said Sen. Anwar, who is a medical doctor. “If a doctor, nurse or paramedic, to name only a few, becomes infected with COVID-19, they must enter quarantine, meaning they would not be able to assist patients. This would put further strain on the health care system. We owe it to ourselves and our communities to support our health care professionals. I ask any business with supplies of N95 respirators, paper masks, eye protection, disposable gloves and head covers, scrubs and disinfectant wipes, liquids and hand-cleaners – anything that can protect health care workers from COVID-19 exposure – to contact their local hospitals and make donations if possible. In tough times like these, anything we can do to support our communities and protect our health care workers will go a long way.”

The call from Senators Anwar and Haskell comes after Governor Ned Lamont announced Monday that two companies have already made donations. Gil’s Drywall of Plainville and PW Power Systems of Glastonbury both provided N95 respirators to the state Department of Public Health, which will then distribute them to hospitals in need, Gov. Lamont said.

Businesses with supplies available for donation should contact the Department of Public Health to see the best way to make such donations. The Department of Public Health has created an online form for members of the public, businesses and philanthropic organizations interested in making these donations at www.211ct.org/DonationsCOVID19. The state is partnering with nonprofit United Way 2-1-1 of Connecticut to collect information and distribute supplies.

Some hospitals, including Hartford Healthcare, have created informational lines to coordinate drop off times; those in Hartford County can email COVIDDonations@HHCHealth.org to coordinate such a drop-off to Hartford Healthcare institutions.

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Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until April 13

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Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until April 13

Today, Democratic and Republican legislative leaders announced that legislative business including committee meetings and public hearings will be postponed until April 13. The Legislative Office Building, State Capitol, and the Old State House will be closed during that time.

Legislative leaders will meet the week of April 6 to determine if further action needs to be taken.

In a joint statement, Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, Senate President Martin M. Looney, House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, and Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said:

“The General Assembly will continue to postpone all committee meetings, public hearings, and other legislative business until April 13. Protecting Connecticut residents during this public health emergency is our priority during this time and we will be in constant communication to determine if any further action needs to be taken.”

Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until April 13

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Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until April 13

Today, Democratic and Republican legislative leaders announced that legislative business including committee meetings and public hearings will be postponed until April 13. The Legislative Office Building, State Capitol, and the Old State House will be closed during that time.

Legislative leaders will meet the week of April 6 to determine if further action needs to be taken.

In a joint statement, Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, Senate President Martin M. Looney, House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, and Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said:

“The General Assembly will continue to postpone all committee meetings, public hearings, and other legislative business until April 13. Protecting Connecticut residents during this public health emergency is our priority during this time and we will be in constant communication to determine if any further action needs to be taken.”

Senator Haskell To Join Person-To-Person In Norwalk Monday to Volunteer, Assist With Food Deliveries During COVID-19 Outbreak

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Senator Haskell To Join Person-To-Person In Norwalk Monday to Volunteer, Assist With Food Deliveries During COVID-19 Outbreak

NORWALK – On Monday, March 23, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) will join leaders from Person-to-Person of Norwalk, assisting with packaging and delivery of food donations being provided to families in need. During tough financial times and the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in southwestern Connecticut, it is imperative now more than ever to support and protect members of the community who may be struggling with temporary unemployment, layoffs or other economic repercussions.

Sen. Haskell will volunteer alongside others Monday morning at 10 a.m. at Person-to-Person’s Norwalk food pantry located at 76 South Main Street.

“In these unprecedented times, we need to make sure we protect every member of our communities. That means adopting social distancing, social isolation and quarantining to protect the health of our neighbors, family and friends, but it also means looking out for those who may be struggling,” said Sen. Haskell. “I am thankful Person-to-Person and other local charities are taking this responsibility seriously and look forward to helping them I encourage everyone who can to find ways to help their local community, whether through assisting elderly or high-risk neighbors, volunteering, making food donations or making monetary donations. We must rise to the challenge together.”

“As we work diligently to continue to meet the escalating needs of the families we serve year-round, as well as respond to an increase in the number of those needing food and emergency financial assistance, we are grateful for the support of our local, state and federal officials during this unprecedented crisis,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person-to-Person. “We must all work together to ensure that our most vulnerable populations receive the critical support they need to remain safe, healthy and stable. We know that there is an especially difficult road ahead for many people and we remain ready to help.”

Person-to-Person is one of many food banks, nonprofits and other community organizations assisting members of the community struggling with the economic effects of layoffs, temporary unemployment and the continuing COVID-19 outbreak. It serves residents of Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. P2P, as it is also known, is supplying shelf-stable groceries along with protein, produce and dairy to employees furloughed due to COVID-19 and residents with incomes below 235 percent of federal poverty guidelines. It is further providing emergency financial assistance to those who need help with rent, security deposits, utilities and emergency expenses. Those seeking help are asked to call 203-655-0048.

P2P is also accepting donations of food, toiletries, paper goods, diapers and gift cards at its 1864 Post Road location in Darien and its 76 South Main Street location in Norwalk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Please call 203-621-0703 for more information about donating or volunteering. It is also accepting funds through a virtual food drive at www.p2phelps.org.

Senator Anwar Addresses Letter to Governor Lamont, Commissioners Coleman-Mitchell and Westby Concerning Personal Protective Equipment in Hospitals

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Senator Anwar Addresses Letter to Governor Lamont, Commissioners Coleman-Mitchell and Westby Concerning Personal Protective Equipment in Hospitals

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) addressed a letter to Governor Ned Lamont, Department of Health Commissioner Coleman-Mitchell and Department of Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby regarding a lack of personal protection equipment, or PPE, available to health care and medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without these important resources, Sen. Anwar said, efforts to provide care to patients will be limited and workers will be at risk.

As a medical doctor with specialization in respiratory systems, Sen. Anwar knows firsthand the importance of proper medical protection. Protecting front-line medical staff from becoming infected during this pandemic – including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, doctors, nurses and ancillary staff – will be vital to ensure optimal health care response.

“It is a fact that many medical workers will eventually become sick with COVID-19,” Sen. Anwar said. “Other staff members will be required to work up to double their regular hours to accommodate for the lack of personnel. The loss of a few more staff members in an Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit can throw the entire department into disarray and cost patient lives.”

The full text of the letter Senator Anwar sent has been reproduced below.

March 17, 2020

Governor Ned Lamont

State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

Commission Renee D. Coleman-Mitchell
Connecticut Department of Health
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105

Commission Kurt Westby
Connecticut Department of Labor
200 Folly Brook Boulevard
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Over the past week I have heard from my colleagues in the medical field about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to them in the facilities where they work and about the lack of communication from administrators about remediating this issue.

I would like to highlight the importance of protecting our front-line medical staff from becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 while they treat patients during this the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, doctors, as well as all types of nurses and ancillary staff.

It is a fact that many medical workers will eventually become sick with COVID-19. Other staff members will be required to work up to double their regular hours to accommodate for the lack of personal. The loss of a few more staff members in an Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit can throw the entire department into disarray and cost patient lives. Just as we are trying to “flatten the curve” with the general population, we must also do so with medical personal to preserve this limited workforce. Unlike the general population, medial workers are not able to simply practice social distancing to prevent infection. They work in proximity with the sick and their only line of defense are PPEs like gloves, gowns, N-95 respirator masks, and disinfectants.

I urge you to reach out to the administrators of various healthcare facility in our state, including hospitals, clinics, primary care facilities, and nursing homes and request that they provide clear communications to their staff about PPEs including existing supplies, when restocking will take place, and instructions to avoid the reuse of PPEs to prevent nosocomial infection. I also urge that you act to ensure PPE supplies are readily available for these facilities.

Sincerely,

M. Saud Anwar, M.D.

 

Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until March 30

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Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until March 30

Today, Democratic and Republican legislative leaders announced that legislative business including committee meetings and public hearings will be postponed until March 30. The Legislative Office Building, State Capitol, and the Old State House will be closed during that time.

Legislative leaders will meet again next week to determine if further action needs to be taken.

In a joint statement, Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, Senate President Martin M. Looney, House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, and Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said:

“In order to continue to take all necessary steps to protect the health and safety of the public, the General Assembly will postpone all committee meetings, public hearings, and other legislative business until March 30. Over the next two weeks we will continue to discuss amongst each other and determine if any additional action needs to be taken.”

Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until March 30

Posted on by Webmaster

Legislative Leaders Postpone Legislative Business Until March 30

Today, Democratic and Republican legislative leaders announced that legislative business including committee meetings and public hearings will be postponed until March 30. The Legislative Office Building, State Capitol, and the Old State House will be closed during that time.

Legislative leaders will meet again next week to determine if further action needs to be taken.

In a joint statement, Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, Senate President Martin M. Looney, House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, and Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said:

“In order to continue to take all necessary steps to protect the health and safety of the public, the General Assembly will postpone all committee meetings, public hearings, and other legislative business until March 30. Over the next two weeks we will continue to discuss amongst each other and determine if any additional action needs to be taken.”

Sen. Moore Releases Statement Regarding Cancellation of Bridgeport’s St. Patrick’s Day Activities and Parade

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Sen. Moore Releases Statement Regarding Cancellation of Bridgeport’s St. Patrick’s Day Activities and Parade

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) released the following statement regarding the cancellation of Bridgeport’s St. Patrick’s Day activities and parade in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The city made the announcement this morning.

“I support the city’s decision to cancel St. Patrick’s Day activities and the parade in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sen. Moore. “Difficult decisions must be made as we strive to flatten the curve of people testing positive for this virus. These measures will best position our health care facilities and professionals to provide adequate care.”

As early as yesterday, the parade and activities were scheduled to be on. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization officially classified COVID-19 as a global pandemic. As of Thursday, there have been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut.

Mansfield Area Lawmakers Celebrate Passage of Bond Package, Validating Roof Installation Funds Previously Approved Through Last Year’s Referendum

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Mansfield Area Lawmakers Celebrate Passage of Bond Package, Validating Roof Installation Funds Previously Approved Through Last Year’s Referendum

Hartford, Conn. — State Representatives Gregg Haddad (D-Mansfield), Pat Wilson Pheanious (D-Ashford, Willington, Tolland) and Brian Smith (D-Colchester, Lebanon, Mansfield, Windham) and State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) applaud the inclusion of a section in today’s bond package, H.B. 5518, which passed earlier today. The package validates the results of last November’s school construction referendum held in Ashford, Mansfield and Willington, which received resounding approval at the ballot box in calling for the installation of a new roof on E. O. Smith High School in Storrs. The results of the referendum were initially invalidated due to a clerical error.

“Last year, our community made our voices heard when voting to approve funds for the construction of E. O., Smith’s new roof and solar panels, and I’m glad we were able to correct the problem and allow these clean, sustainable solar panels to be installed on our higher school.,” said Rep. Haddad.

“I’m thrilled that the people of Mansfield spoke strongly in support of the roof construction project at E.O. Smith High School,” said Sen. Flexer. “This project will set the standard for energy efficient school construction in Connecticut, and I’m so pleased that we were able, as a delegation, to make a simple change in the law to ensure that this critical project moves forward.”

“I’m glad we were able to work together with the appropriate legislative committees and the Governor’s Office to reach this resolution,” said Rep. Wilson Pheanious. “Now Region 19 students and taxpayers will benefit from the energy and money saving solar panels that will be installed on the new roof. This project is the culmination of the hard work stakeholders in each of the three towns did to ensure voters passed this referendum in the first place. I would also like to thank House Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee State Rep. Jason Rojas for his help to facilitate this positive outcome.”

“I am pleased the legislature voted to validate the referendum where Regional School District 19 voters overwhelmingly approved the roof construction project,” said Rep. Smith. “This legislation will save District 19 taxpayer dollars, so it does not have to conduct another referendum.”