SENATOR COHEN VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut is well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.
 
Today’s vote carries over $313 million into a new reserve. It follows $186.6 million in investments in December 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in November 2025 and makes sure the remaining funds are available to respond to funding cuts from the federal government.
 
“Connecticut residents, state and community leaders, service providers and more have found themselves caught in the crosshairs of an unstable and hostile federal government,” said Sen. Cohen. “This administration haphazardly cuts funding then changes its mind. It uses food assistance as a political bargaining chip and raises American’s healthcare premiums to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. With this vote, Connecticut residents can rest assured that we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from the cruelty and chaos coming from Washington D.C.”
 
Since the start of the second Trump presidency, Connecticut has been among several blue states that have seen billions of dollars in cuts to previously approved funding for programs ranging from education, to healthcare, clean energy, public health, mental health supports and more. Some programs have been reinstated, while others have not, creating chaos and uncertainty for providers and those who use these programs. The Republican Federal Budget passed in July of last year also cut funding to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, home heating assistance and more.
 
The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

• $115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
• $24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
• $11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
• $8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
• $6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
• $4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
• $4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
• $2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
• $830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

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Sen. Cohen, Rep. Rader Welcome Final Passage of Bill to Enhance Katie Beckett Waiver Program

For Immediate Release
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin – Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov – 860-304-2319
 

HARTFORD – Early Friday morning the state senate voted for the unanimous passage of legislation implementing the recommendations of the Katie Beckett Working Group, ensuring families of terminally ill children are better served by the program. State Senator Christine Cohen and State Representative Moira Rader worked closely with constituents, the Negron family, to develop these important recommendations. 
 
The Katie Beckett Waiver program is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and provides Medicaid healthcare services and supports to individuals 21 years of age and younger with a physical disability who may or may not have a co-occurring developmental disability. These services are for young adults and children who would normally not qualify for Medicaid due to family income. The purpose of the waiver is to provide home and community-based services to individuals who would prefer to reside in their home or in the community instead of an alternative institution.
 
Unfortunately, Connecticut is the only state in New England with a cap on the number of qualified individuals accepted into the Katie Beckett Waiver program. The way the waitlist is structured leaves some families on a waiting list longer than the child’s life expectancy.
 
This legislation to improve the waiver program came from the advocacy of Chloe Negron’s family. Chloe was a Guilford girl diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare genetic disorder. Chloe tragically passed away earlier this year from complications of the disease. Last year, Sen. Cohen and Rep. Rader testified along with her father, David, before the Human Services Committee on the need to improve the program. He later served on the Katie Beckett Working Group to develop the recommendations implemented in this legislation.
 
The legislation passed requires DSS to develop a five-year plan to eliminate the waiting list for the Katie Beckett Waiver Program and add home modification coverage, as well as report to the Appropriations and Human Services Committee their recommendations on state appropriations needed to implement the plan. According to DSS, 331 people are currently on the waitlist which currently equates to many years.
 
Additionally, the bill lowers the maximum age for Katie Beckett participants from 21 to 18.
 
The bill also requires the DSS commissioner to include information on eligibility criteria and provider reimbursement rates for the waiver program in its Medicaid provider bulletins and to post certain information on the website.
 
Lastly, the bill requires DSS to annually administer a survey, via mail or e-mail, to applicants on the program’s waiting list, asking applicants to confirm or update demographic information and whether they wish to remain on the waiting list. Applicants who do not respond must remain on the waiting list.

“My heart is with every family whose child faces a terminal illness, and I have deep respect for David and Rennie’s strength and the love for their daughter that has guided this legislation,” said Sen. Cohen. “Chloe’s legacy lives on through the power of advocacy and public policy and because of this legislation, other Connecticut families will be better served by this program. I am hopeful that with these recommendations, every child, regardless of diagnosis, has access to the care they need.”

“This legislation holds deep significance, particularly for the Guilford community. It was inspired by the Negron Family and their beloved daughter, Chloe, whose strength and light touched everyone who knew her,” said Rep. Rader. “Although Chloe tragically passed away this past year, her legacy lives on through this work. In her memory, we are building a more compassionate and responsive system that will help countless children and families for years to come.”