Husky 4 Immigrants

Dr. Leonela Villegas, a pediatrician in Hartford and a member of our coalition, sheds light on the harm restrictive and damaging immigration policies have on the overall health of immigrant children and the trust immigrant families place in health and education institutions. Connecticut must TAKE ACTION. By expanding HUSKY access to immigrant families, Connecticut can be a place where all families can live healthier, safer lives. ?? Read Dr. Villegas opinion piece in the CT Mirror: heyor.ca/zPMl63/?source=LI Go to bit.ly/ExpandHUSKY and sign our petition in support of our state officials expanding access to the HUSKY Health Program to all immigrants regardless of status.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who showed up and spoke out at last week’s public hearing, asking the appropriations committee to fund HUSKY for income-eligible immigrants up to age 26 this year and preserve the current programs as a commitment to protect immigrant families! Your advocacy moves us closer to a future where healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of immigration status. We had over 60 people testify in person and via Zoom, and hundreds of written testimonies submitted! From supporters and coalition partners to medical professionals and organizational allies, your voices helped amplify the push to expand HUSKY coverage up to age 26 at the appropriations hearing. Now, Connecticut must take the next step and fully fund this expansion—because healthcare is a human right. We need YOUR voice to help this get this across. Go to bit.ly/ExpandHUSKY and sign our petition in support of our state officials expanding access to the HUSKY Healthcare Program to all immigrants regardless of status. #Husky4Immigrants

?? EXCITING News! We’re thrilled to welcome Katherine “Kati” Villeda as the new Coalition Director for HUSKY 4 Immigrants—she’s already hit the ground running by testifying at three recent public hearings! ?? Kati brings deep experience in health equity, advocacy, and coalition-building, having played a role in the #AffordToDream campaign and the founding of HUSKY 4 Immigrants campaign to expand HUSKY coverage to all income-eligible residents, regardless of immigration status. Fun fact: Kati’s advocacy journey began with CT Students for a Dream (C4D)! Now, she’s bringing her passion and leadership to continue the fight for immigrant rights and healthcare access across Connecticut. We’re excited for this next chapter for both Kati and the coalition. ?? #HUSKY4Immigrants #HealthcareForAll

This IS an emergency. When the federal government targets immigrant and refugee families, our state must step up. Connecticut has a responsibility to protect our communities and fund the organizations working tirelessly to provide resources and support. The time is NOW to take action—uplift immigrant voices and help us expand HUSKY coverage to more people, regardless of immigration status. #HealthcareForAll #HUSKY4Immigrants #ImmigrantRights #ProtectOurCommunities

?? How to Write & Submit Your Testimony – Make Your Voice Heard! Our immigrant community needs your support! The Appropriations Committee is holding a public hearing THIS Friday, February 28th and we need impacted individuals, allies, and anyone who believes healthcare is a human right to submit testimony in support of expanding HUSKY coverage for immigrant communities up to the age of 26! How to Easily Write & Submit Your Testimony: 1?? Head to our Testimony Writing Form: bit.ly/HUSKYHearing2025 and follow the step-by-step guide to draft your testimony. 2?? Receive an automated email with your testimony and simple instructions on how to submit it. 3?? Submit your Testimony by 10am on Fri, Feb. 28: bit.ly/HUSKYwritten Your voice can drive change. Expanding health coverage for all ensures access to preventive care, creating a healthier state, reducing uncompensated care costs for hospitals, and lowering overall healthcare expenses. Now, we must guarantee that more individuals, regardless of immigration status, can access the HUSKY Program! We must do more — and that starts with you. Let the Appropriations Committee know why expanding HUSKY is essential for all Connecticut residents. Your voice matters — use it to make a difference. #HealthcareForAll #HUSKY4Immigrants #TestimonyGuide #ImmigrantRights #HealthcareIsAHumanRight

This month marks FOUR years since we first introduced our bill in the legislative session and WON. In February 2021, coalition members, allies, and community members joined together to fight for the expansion of HUSKY for ALL, regardless of their immigration status. The result? Public Act 21-176, which expanded HUSKY to: ? Immigrant children ages 0-8 ? Pre- and post-natal care for pregnant immigrant women Since then, we’ve been fighting to expand HUSKY even further—and this year, we’re ready to push for more. ? Join us in this fight—sign the petition today! ?? heyor.ca/JJgBCO/?source=LI

What’s a Public Hearing? A public hearing is a chance for community members to speak directly to legislators, sharing personal stories and reasons for supporting a specific issue. It’s our opportunity to advocate for expanding HUSKY and ensure lawmakers understand why it’s essential. ?? The Appropriations Committee has scheduled a PUBLIC HEARING for Friday, February 28th. During the public hearing, we’ll make our voices heard and tell legislators why they must fund HUSKY to cover all CT residents up to age 26 this year! We’re hosting a Testimony Prep Workshop next Monday, February 24 at 4:30pm, to help you draft and submit your testimony ahead of the Public Hearing. ?? Need help writing or submitting your testimony? Join us, and we’ll guide you through it! Sign up for the workshop here: https://heyor.ca/nBnrAC

Over the last 4 years, we’ve expanded HUSKY access to kids under 15 and pregnant people. ?? But health needs don’t stop there. We’re pushing to raise HUSKY eligibility to cover immigrants up to age 26, and we need YOUR VOICE to make it happen! ?? We need you to show up and submit your testimony for the upcoming Public Hearing by the Appropriations Committee and tell our state legislators to include access to HUSKY for immigrants in our state's budget this year! Details: ?? Public Hearing: Friday, February 28 at 10 AM ? Submit testimony and tell the Appropriations Committee why expanding HUSKY matters. ?? Submit your testimony here: https://heyor.ca/MHfH21 Healthcare is a HUMAN RIGHT. Let’s fight for it together.

We’re working with legislators who are ready to expand healthcare to ALL state residents and have the courage to defend human rights—despite continued federal attacks on immigrants. It’s not just a moral duty to recognize everyone’s rights—it’s our legislators’ responsibility to represent and serve their communities. Be a part of this campaign by signing our petition to expand HUSKY: heyor.ca/JJgBCO/?source=LI #HUSKYForAll #HealthCareIsAHumanRight

Gov. Lamont recently released his 2-year budget, in response HUSKY 4 Immigrants coalition members, Rose Ferraro and Carolina Bortoletto shared the following statements. Despite a $443 million budget surplus, thousands of undocumented residents are still locked out of affordable healthcare in Connecticut. Health needs don’t end at 15—yet our state continues to deny care to immigrants beyond that age. ? It’s time to invest in all Connecticut residents and expand HUSKY for ALL! Sign the petition today! ?? heyor.ca/JJgBCO/?source=LI