CCA’s Statement on the Recent HUSKY Expansion Decision

Last week, Connecticut legislators voted to expand HUSKY/Medicaid insurance coverage for undocumented children up to the age of 15. We at the Center for Children’s Advocacy want to thank legislative leadership for expanding this coverage – and recognize that our partners in the legislature understand the imminent need for expanding this crucial and necessary coverage. While the latest expansion is greatly needed, there is still a significant population of youth, ages 15 though18, who will not have access to basic health insurance coverage despite this incremental expansion. The implicit need for adolescent care in general, exacerbated by a group of individuals who’ve experienced significant trauma and a lack of fundamental healthcare at baseline, is the fundamental reason to advocate for continued expansion of the HUSKY program through the age of 18.

Since the HUSKY program expanded for children up through age 12 on January 1, 2023, the state has enrolled almost 4,600 children who would otherwise be ineligible due to their immigration status, and providers have already seen the results of not only better care, but most importantly access to it. The combined efforts of organizations like CCA, Husky4Immigrants, Make the Road, and pediatric and family medicine providers all of the state made the original expansion possible, but there is still more that needs to be done. We urge Connecticut legislators to include older youth to ensure they can receive medical care without creating a significant financial and emotional burden on these families.

Please contact legislative leadership, including Senate President Looney, Speaker Matthew Ritter, and the Governor’s Office to urge them to increase the age of coverage through 18, and to provide the funding for this essential program this legislative session.