'Health Justice NOW' Demand Amid Federal Cuts

The Health Justice NOW Campaign held a press conference calling on the State Legislature and Governor to protect health coverage, extend access to affordable care, and ensure all Connecticut residents can get the quality car they need without fear or barriers.

The statewide organizations said they came together “as federal cuts to Medicaid have harmed immigrant and working-class families, stripping health coverage from thousands and driving up health care costs for everyone.” 

Led by Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Universal Health Care Foundation of CT, HUSKY 4 Immigrants coalition, Health Equity Solutions, and Connecticut for All, the campaign demanded state leaders “step up and ensure every one of us has access to quality, affordable health care.”

Demands include that premium and other out of pocket costs meet affordability standards, controlled provider rates, minimizing the risk of medical debt, insurance coverage of essential health benefits, and raising revenue to support these goals.

Tom Swan, CCAG director said the campaign is “dedicated to having Connecticut meet this moment and guarantee everyone access to quality affordable healthcare.” He emphasized that Trump's HR 1 bill “has created turmoil with more havoc to come. Medicare cuts alone put over 180,000 Connecticut residents at risk of losing coverage.”

He added that, “thousands of healthcare workers could potentially lose their jobs and healthcare facilities are at risk of closure particularly in rural communities.”

Betty Buras, a student at the Yale School of Medicine and the law clinic said, “During this political climate, immigrants’ rights and health care are being attacked. When people don’t have access to healthcare, there are worse outcomes. We have to make sure everyone has access to healthcare.”

“The amount of Medicare taxes undocumented immigrants pay is more than the top 55 corporations in America,” said State Senator Saud Anwar,”. The corporations are getting a free ride while the undocumented immigrants are being taxed.”

“The federal government is subsidizing the healthcare for these largest corporations,” he said. Those who say resources have been taken by the immigrants is far from the truth. They are wrong.”