Urgent Plea: Advocates Push for Expanded State Health Coverage for CT Immigrants Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Claudia Gibbons grew up standing in long lines with her family, waiting for medical appointments at the Charter Oak clinic in Hartford. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.

“I saw so many hardworking people who just wanted access to healthcare. Their struggles really moved me,” Gibbons shared.

When she was nine, Claudia immigrated to Connecticut from Peru. Her family faced challenges, unable to access any medical insurance, including the state-funded HUSKY Health program.

“We lived in constant fear of needing medical help,” she recalled. “I remember hiding my cough and sore throat because I didn’t want to burden my parents with extra costs.”

Now, Claudia is a physician assistant in emergency medicine at Middlesex Hospital. Recently, she joined over 370 healthcare workers in supporting a proposal to expand HUSKY Health coverage for undocumented immigrants up to age 26.

Many undocumented immigrants avoid seeking preventive healthcare due to lack of insurance, leading to late diagnoses of conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Claudia explained, “They only come to us when they are seriously ill. Providing them with earlier care can change their lives.”

During a recent event at the state Capitol, Claudia and her colleagues delivered a letter advocating for better healthcare access to Governor Ned Lamont and other state representatives. This push aims to protect and extend HUSKY coverage despite potential federal cuts to Medicaid.

As it stands, undocumented youth under age 15 can access HUSKY Health coverage. Advocates are now pushing to raise this limit and also include immigrants over 65. Connecticut funds this initiative because many undocumented residents don’t qualify for Medicaid, a program intended for low-income individuals.

However, proposed federal budget cuts could jeopardize these efforts by limiting funds available for state healthcare initiatives. This could affect coverage for undocumented residents who rely on services like HUSKY.

Democratic State Representative Anne Hughes emphasized the importance of preventive health care. “Everyone deserves access to healthcare, not just emergency services. If we don’t act boldly, what message are we sending?”

Fred Carstensen, director of the University of Connecticut’s Center for Economic Analysis, shared concerns about the federal proposals. He highlighted the potential economic benefits of extending HUSKY coverage. “Investing in preventive care could save money in the long run. If people avoid treatment until they are severely ill, the costs skyrocket.”

He believes focusing on this issue means understanding the broader economic implications. “If we analyze our data carefully, we might realize expanding coverage could actually be cost-effective for the state.”

In essence, health care should be viewed as a right, not a privilege. The discussion around HUSKY Health provides a critical opportunity to rethink healthcare access for all residents, regardless of immigration status.

For more on this topic, you can refer to CT Mirror’s coverage of HUSKY Health.

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