CCA to Legislators: Every Child Deserves Health insurance

The Center for Children’s Advocacy has long advocated for expanding Connecticut’s HUSKY health insurance coverage to all low-income children in the state, regardless of immigration status. During the 2021 session, legislators passed a bill that would expand HUSKY eligibility to undocumented children up to and including eight years of age.

Building on the momentum from 2021’s victory, CCA is advocating for the passage of SB 284, An Act Increasing the Age from Eight to Eighteen Years for an Income-Eligible Person to Obtain Medical Assistance Regardless of Immigration Status. The proposed legislation would extend HUSKY coverage to all low-income children eighteen years old or younger.

On March 17, SB 284 was voted down in the legislature’s Human Services Committee, which the CT Mirror called a “surprising defeat.” However, legislative leaders and advocates are still hopeful that the measure will pass this year. Their plan is to include the expansion of HUSKY in the state’s budget implementer.

“Every child should have a right to health care coverage. It’s a fundamental right,” said Jay Sicklick, deputy director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy. “From an access issue, why are we drawing the line that this cohort of individuals should not be covered?”

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