HARTFORD, CT (February 8, 2017) – Today Patricia Baker, President & CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation, issued the following statement in response to Governor Malloy’s budget address:
“The Connecticut Health Foundation applauds Governor Malloy for his commitment to further addressing homelessness by pledging to match every chronically homeless person to permanent housing. Providing supportive housing has proven to improve the health outcomes of the most vulnerable.”
“We are also pleased to see that the Governor is honoring his commitment to maintain expanded access to coverage for low income adults through Medicaid. Up to 200,000 individuals have access to quality healthcare due to Medicaid expansion. As potential policy changes are considered in Washington, the Connecticut Health Foundation commends the Governor for his dedication to those residents who depend on this vital safety net.”
“We understand the unprecedented fiscal challenges the state faces and the need for sacrifice in order to keep the state’s budget in balance. As an organization whose mission is to improve the health status of people in Connecticut, we believe the state should let the principle of equity articulated in the Governor’s address drive health budget proposals so that those most in need have access to the care they need.”
“That is why we are concerned that this budget proposes a cut in Medicaid eligibility of parents from 155% to 138%. Further, as a foundation that has supported oral health since its inception, we are concerned about the policy recommendation to cap the dollars spent on adults in the Medicaid program to $1,000 per year. This is an arbitrary number and does not address the challenges of the individuals in this program.”
“Again, while we acknowledge that the state must find ways to solve our budget crisis, we believe it should not be to the detriment of the over 750,000 people covered by Medicaid who are among our most vulnerable population.”
About the Connecticut Health Foundation
The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) is the state’s largest independent health philanthropy dedicated to improving lives by changing health systems. Since it was established in 1999, the foundation has supported innovative grantmaking, public policy research technical assistance and convening to achieve its mission – to improve the health of the people of Connecticut. Over the past 17 years, CT Health has awarded grants totaling close to $59 million in 45 cities and towns throughout the state.
In 2013, CT Health announced a five-year strategic plan that made expanding health equity the foundation’s central focus. For CT Health, health equity means helping more people gain access to better care, especially people of color and underserved populations. Better care includes physical, mental, and oral health. For more information about the foundation, please visit www.cthealth.org or 860.724.1580.
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