The new law extending state-subsidized health insurance eligibility to all children, regardless of their immigration status, took effect on July 1. To celebrate this expansion of Connecticut’s Husky program, New Haven community members and state and city leaders gathered at Fair Haven Community Health Care.
This extension provides full Medicaid eligibility to children age up to age 15 and under, up from the previous cutoff of 12 years old, making healthcare more accessible to thousands of previously uninsured children.
Advocates praise this step as an important move toward making health care a basic right for more citizens while recognizing the need for continued progress.
Dr. Sue Lagarde, head of Fair Haven Community Health Care, highlighted the importance of health care as a human right.
“For 53 years, we have been tirelessly advocating for access to Connecticut Medicaid. No one is healthy unless we are all healthy. I'm here to report that since January 1, 2023, at this health center l alone, we have enrolled over 500 Children.”
The health center in Fair Haven, one of New Haven’s poorest neighborhoods, serves everyone, including low-income families and patients who are uninsured.
Mayor Justin Elicker said the state's role is to ensure that all residents, regardless of background or insurance status, receive necessary care.
“We are proudly welcoming everyone no matter where you come from,” Elicker said. “So this is about our values as a community, but it is more importantly about supporting children that are oftentimes coming from traumatic situations to ensure that they have every health resource to thrive.”
Personal stories underscored the importance of this expansion. Nancy Aucapina, an immigrant and patient at Fair Haven, expressed relief that her teen daughter now has access to essential healthcare services through the Husky program.
“My daughter is 13 years old, and she is benefiting from this program,” Alcabina said. “If for any reason she needs to go to the ER, she’ll receive all the medicare care, and I know she’ll be in good hands.”
Luis Luna, an advocate, and HUSKY 4 Immigrants Coalition Manager, is an immigrant from Ecuador who came to the U.S. at age 13. Luna highlighted the need for comprehensive healthcare coverage, particularly for undocumented individuals.
He said health coverage for undocumented teens and children is a step in the right direction, but the new law could go further to include older teens and adults.
"We have an opportunity to legislate and ensure everyone qualifies for Medicaid, setting the rules for who qualifies and the income requirements," Luna said. "Let's keep pushing forward, think strategically, and make sure that everyone in our community and state has the healthcare they need."
Advocates said the next goal is to extend coverage up to age 18.
Gov. Lamont said that Connecticut continues to take the lead in protecting the health of children and mothers, regardless of their immigration status.
“God doesn't ask for your immigration status; He says we're all His children," Lamont said. "That's why we're standing here today with each and every one of you, doing what we can to continue to extend healthcare as a basic right to more and more citizens.”
