[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6659560,"mediaKeyId","2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88","parentId",2453199,"title","Home‑health providers warn Medicaid rates are unsustainable, call for immediate raises","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7483000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88&start=7483&end=7483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88/thumbnail_7483000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659560/Connecticut/Homehealth-providers-warn-Medicaid-rates-are-unsustainable-call-for-immediate-raises","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659560-a7ebb966f4cff29fac51c9c1fb4facbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664936&Signature=cg42d~tmoUVrSXQjSFPJw78RnPKvzDhcsf-N3Rp9ghBAqMPIPrgfDntKYe6hTlbfl6v~gcy7bHUKMzw01MBTnS48Bjk3eubGbaXogXA0qkWFhn7TyR1Ry1KRr93-60Q9JASQUnxn5nnlGu~SNTppLaKlnfCu0pZWIjRw-0-VyBaeYRlwkuLC3HXrnTT41cmwXMx6FJpQctfhPBRwZPQtzm~PUNAaAjngmT20tSke2ULnccs3krJr5bLVh2EaKlv532Ai9XUhJfrlNgqbcxWtqFEXnwjy-sDE8WZhtgbr1Z4PJKl7KwhxHOhv249miUkFxO0ara5sqCiUIl49g4DROQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut House Of Representative Appropriations Committee","date","2025-03-01T00:02:43.087Z","article","Agency leaders from home‑health and hospice organizations told the Appropriations Subcommittee that Connecticut’s Medicaid reimbursement rates for home and community‑based services are inadequate and threaten patient access.

Several witnesses, including agency owners and home health CEOs, said Medicaid reimbursement lags far behind Medicare and neighboring states and does not cover inflationary increases in wages, fuel and supplies. They described a workforce squeeze: experienced nurses and caregivers are taking positions in hospitals or moving to nearby states where Medicaid‑funded rates are higher, leaving agencies short of staff for medically complex patients.

Requests to the committee included an immediate 10% across‑the‑board increase for home‑care visit codes, a 15% raise for behavioral‑health medication administration rates, elimination of the 50% \"subsequent visit\" penalty rate, and implementation of an add‑on for high‑risk cases. Speakers also asked that increases be phased for fiscal years 2026–2029 to provide stability rather than one‑time boosts.

Providers emphasized that home care is cost‑effective: stable home services reduce hospitalizations and institutional placements. Several families and clinicians described clients whose lives improved once continuous skilled nursing care or in‑home supports were available; they warned that cuts or stagnant rates will return people to expensive inpatient settings.

Ending: Witnesses asked the committee to adopt rate increases tied to inflation and to institute a scheduled review mechanism so home‑health agencies can sustainably support caregivers and medically complex patients.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","APP Human Services Subcommittee Public Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","Home‑health and hospice providers told the committee that current Medicaid reimbursement does not cover costs and is driving staff to work in neighboring states or hospitals; they asked for a phased rate increase and elimination of a 'subsequent visit' penalty.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Connecticut","taxId",15021,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659565,"Nonprofit behavioral‑health providers warn of staffing collapse without higher Medicaid rates and added grant funding",1413,6005000,7418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88&start=6005&end=7418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88/thumbnail_6005000.jpg","/articles/6659565/Connecticut/Nonprofit-behavioralhealth-providers-warn-of-staffing-collapse-without-higher-Medicaid-rates-and-added-grant-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659565-32d869ae5c37ee7943856c9e0040edaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664936&Signature=dh3oK9SVgyoiUZB5tdB1TNZ9ap0n9ux1oZY34tiaV-E9kEOS~tq~-j3MFo-FlBf0c0x87LFrfO4wveE7GM9IWOIpLp7bzf6cCrlUgV5upp3U7-XbkoyfvGf3UCjAA1hFZmiKL0t9IF0WeTFWjwP8lVUbQcTvunmfYgQwahtQnMg-kYjiGdwRFZE~3bkjabSaTE4smKrnKCNKuJPSgpdXvn3WxmoPYO~4Thbc5484T0NroHkonO13msZLKPxaFmK4Ns7Rff9rkWhosI4QL5pfCx0eRtgZe29a-nVQQXlVuTpTpsJhkp~AaVcy4j3voM02EdC9Av9Fzvh1Mib4bJ~ebA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leaders from community behavioral‑health providers, early‑childhood programs and affiliated nonprofits urged a substantial increase in state funding during the Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, warning the current reimbursement structure puts programs, staff and client access at risk.

Several agencies, including Child FIRST affiliates, Community Health Resources, Clifford Beers and regional behavioral‑health providers described rising client acuity, longer wait lists and vacancies they attribute to Medicaid rates that have not kept pace with inflation. Speakers asked for a $264 million increase for nonprofit human services in fiscal year 2026, with a proposal that included an annualized COLA for state grants and scheduled increases in Medicaid rates (a 6% increase in FY 2026 and an 8% request for FY 2027 in testimony from several providers).

Child FIRST supervisors and clinicians described long waiting lists for home‑based early intervention, noting the program's evidence base and randomized controlled trial findings showing reduced child welfare involvement and improved parental mental health when services are timely. \"We have 75 families on a wait list in Region 4 alone,\" said an affiliate site supervisor. Several Child FIRST speakers asked that the existing two‑tier professional/paraprofessional payment structure be preserved and that the general administrative (gap) payment remain statutory because the gap covers critical unreimbursed administrative work.

Behavioral‑health clinicians described losing staff to hospitals, private practice and school districts because those employers pay more; several witnesses asked the legislature to move Medicaid rates toward the Medicare benchmark or at least to 75–80% of Medicare over multiple years. The Yale Child Study Center and other pediatric advocates said low rates disproportionately affect children's access to specialty behavioral health services.

Ending: Providers requested immediate, recurring funding in the budget to stabilize services and preserve access; committee members did not take a formal vote during public testimony.","Child‑ and family‑serving nonprofits, provider networks and clinicians told the committee that chronic underfunding and low Medicaid reimbursement rates are creating staff shortages, long wait lists and program closures; they asked for a $264 million boost to nonprofit services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659569,"DeafBlind advocates ask for $100,000 increase to Communication Advocacy Network in budget hearing",232,390000,622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88&start=390&end=622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88/thumbnail_390000.jpg","/articles/6659569/Connecticut/DeafBlind-advocates-ask-for-100000-increase-to-Communication-Advocacy-Network-in-budget-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659569-67e05c9a460fe2cf7a4966fd38433401/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664936&Signature=gpOuKyddOUozYIZfxH-Ji5-wmAcvziPd6RLMxpAFFuGmu6oDJM6FtJu0kJEWiTrrX~vC-2dpPqIVjqj6h5KaMvLmrFEsPKHmQ5uAPWG-ctPN9n~2EaAJ01mVLUKlxkRbL6E8UsmEl4-FhOBCoKcvnjqFW5DtE0lFrjFSjJrWS3ClVAEbVF-3VFe1pw16byHnT2HK6Dy14aeenpIrv9MZbCzQ-Kgyyqqsog8HauZBOENVYAs1ujA8eUIMGKlHxKf9HsSCDHdCORNWQpaPIinmeywyvCHvnUijRVROMk-~Oe~1s6PmvBbdDZ53PXUVLVnnrYbxXOtUMZg5eSojJ-aNDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clients and service providers for the Communication Advocacy Network (CAN) testified early in the hearing about unmet needs in the Deaf, DeafBlind and Deaf‑elderly communities. Several witnesses urged the Appropriations Subcommittee to support an increase to funding tied to bill language in HB 6864.

Witnesses described CAN as a provider of communication facilitation, sight‑guiding transportation and support service providers (SSPs) who are trained in tactile and visual communication methods. Jennifer White Jackson, who identified herself as director of the Communication Advocacy Network, said ongoing flat funding has left CAN unable to hire essential administrative staff and that a proposed additional $100,000 per year would allow the group to add a scheduler and an assistant director.

Several DeafBlind clients described the difference CAN makes in their daily lives. Lisa Valeriti Vaughn, a DeafBlind resident of Enfield, said CAN’s services make it possible for her to attend medical appointments, shop and retain agency. Maria D’Addario, who uses CAN transportation and communication facilitation, called the services a \"safety net\" and asked the committee to maintain and expand support in the 2026–27 budget.

Service providers and former staff framed the request as both a workforce and equity issue. Patty Wilson, a former employee and current per‑diem driver, said client caseloads have grown and that SSP pay must be increased to cover travel and hours. Speakers asked that the budget include dedicated funding for CAN operations and for increases in SSP rates so the program can recruit and retain trained tactile communicators.

Ending: The committee received multiple, consistent appeals to secure recurring budget support for CAN and to consider SSP wage adjustments; no formal committee action was recorded during the public testimony period.","Multiple Deaf, DeafBlind and Deaf‑elderly witnesses told the committee they rely on the Communication Advocacy Network (CAN) and asked Appropriations to fund staff and rate increases so the nonprofit can hire an assistant director, scheduler and pay SSPs more.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659573,"Advocates Urge Connecticut to Expand Husky to Immigrants up to 26 and Raise Medicaid Rates",56,3004000,3060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88&start=3004&end=3060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2453199-4978e14327894d7b68d61d2b57483d88/thumbnail_3004000.jpg","/articles/6659573/Connecticut/Advocates-Urge-Connecticut-to-Expand-Husky-to-Immigrants-up-to-26-and-Raise-Medicaid-Rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659573-18e08e31abf43af9d6605b1c08de4dbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664936&Signature=m~NaL-IFTOqX~ZkibQB3L~RjBescQo1AwMnJCIM3IbOHQhk8tzXRpJGyYO-5X4b1ZmnUlFdTt0JQN4d6NhQKl0Oj4zV-IATYqxYwE3weIpC~ZrD43Q24rOtoxC0l0X6NeDVKOSxpoRI6OXBEH1nHzBcn1OxGGNB8btiO6v3P-oq-ChJnMI7hmdo-KafwdplEh77yfxmwWkndf5c2ILLEQHjnii5WKjHZIWNI5TTbw1TYP6vNgGYwctjOEIQpzhVgnVtKxypq3pazpw1-yPt1nObgeFD1G7XJAJe62Dm6m1az7ZLNGWs91A4P6tHlKopmS9pnrVY2Yfos~7TJDdcqzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advocates, health providers and young people told the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services that expanding Husky Medicaid and raising provider reimbursement rates should be priorities in the next biennium budget.

Speakers asked the committee to pass language and funding to make Husky eligibility available to all income‑eligible Connecticut residents through age 26 regardless of immigration status, and to fund higher Medicaid rates to increase provider participation and reduce wait lists.

Supporters said the recent state changes that added children through age 15 and pregnant or postpartum people have had measurable benefits, but left families with older adolescents and young adults without coverage. \"Health is a human right,\" said Christine Martinez Colon, a Wilbur Cross High School student, who testified in favor of expanding eligibility and called for a plan to open access to all immigrants in the future. Several community health centers, immigrant advocacy groups and municipalities said coverage expansions would reduce emergency costs and improve public health.

Providers and associations urged a simultaneous increase in Medicaid reimbursement. Megan Scherer of the Hispanic Health Council and clinicians from community health centers and hospitals said low rates were driving clinicians out of safety‑net settings, producing vacancies and longer waits for care. \"Low reimbursement rates for providers disproportionately impact low‑income people of color, under‑ and uninsured individuals, young people, women and LGBTQIA individuals,\" Tanisha Signore of She Leads Justice testified.

Several immigrant and faith‑based speakers emphasized the human and economic effects of excluding uninsured residents from routine care and cited research and state estimates describing the fiscal tradeoffs: greater uncompensated care, higher emergency department use and additional strain on school and public health systems. Joshua Michtom, a Hartford city councilor, framed the choice as one of civic leadership: he said expansion is both fiscally sensible and a demonstration of public courage in the face of federal hostility to immigrant access.

Coalition leaders and health system officials asked the committee to adopt a multi‑year plan to bring Medicaid reimbursement closer to Medicare benchmarks and to increase funding for community health centers, school‑based health and family planning clinics. They argued those investments would reduce avoidable hospitalizations and emergency costs while improving access to preventative care.

Ending note: Committee members heard a steady stream of personal narratives — students, parents, clinicians and faith leaders — urging lawmakers to act this session. No formal vote or committee action was recorded during the public testimony period; advocates asked the subcommittee to reflect these priorities in the budget that moves to the Appropriations Committee.","Dozens of speakers at an Appropriations hearing urged lawmakers to expand Husky eligibility to income‑eligible immigrants through age 26 and to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, saying the changes would improve access, reduce uncompensated care and help retain providers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Home‑health providers warn Medicaid rates are unsustainable, call for immediate raises

Nonprofit behavioral‑health providers warn of staffing collapse without higher Medicaid rates and added grant funding

DeafBlind advocates ask for $100,000 increase to Communication Advocacy Network in budget hearing

Advocates Urge Connecticut to Expand Husky to Immigrants up to 26 and Raise Medicaid Rates