Connecticut Makes Remote Work Permanent for State Employees, Bruising Hartford’s Economy
Wall Street Journal March 17, 2022
[Excerpt from feature article by Jimmy Vielkind, March 17, 2022] As it tries to bounce back from the economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Connecticut’s capital city of Hartford won’t be getting help from one of one of its biggest employers: the state government itself. Connecticut recently agreed to permanently allow most of its employees to telecommute as many as four days a week, in contrast with many state and local governments that are trying to set an example for private employers by pushing employees to return to offices in downtown cores.… Read More
Data demonstrates how pandemic exacerbated New Haven’s wealth disparities
Yale Daily News February 24, 2022
[Excerpt of feature article by Sophie Bograd and Sylvan Lebrun, February 23, 2022] More than four in 10 New Haven residents lost their job, used emergency food services or suffered financially during the pandemic. … Read More
Connecticut’s richest residents got richer while poorest residents got poorer during pandemic, survey finds
Hartford Courant February 17, 2022
[Excerpt from front-page feature by Alex Putterman, February 13, 2022] The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult for Connecticut residents in the state’s poorest cities, a large statewide survey has found. While 19% of Connecticut adults say they are worse off financially than they were two years ago, according to the survey, that number was 31% in Hartford, 29% in Bridgeport, 20% in New Haven and 28% in Waterbury.… Read More
Waterford’s resident-led social equity and inclusion group holds third community dialogue
The Day February 8, 2022
[Excerpt from news article by Johana Vazquez, February 8, 2022]… Read More
Access Health CT program aims to reduce uninsured rate, health disparities
Record-Journal February 5, 2022
[Excerpt from article by Karla Santos, 2/4/2022] MERIDEN — The state’s health insurance exchange recently launched a free program to help individuals become licensed insurance brokers with the goal of reducing the uninsured rate and addressing health disparities. An extensive study revealed significant disparities in health care in the state, according to Tammy Hendricks, director of health equity & outreach for Access Health CT, the state’s insurance marketplace. Her department was created to address the issue. [....]… Read More
Leading a Medicaid Program During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Milbank Memorial Fund January 29, 2022
[Excerpt from article by Kate McEvoy, January 10, 2022] What was it like to be a Medicaid director during the COVID-19 public health emergency? First, there was an all-too-slow dawning realization. Then a huge wave of activity, followed by just enough critical distance for some observations. [....] Around late August 2020, lower rates of infection buoyed hope. The brief reprieve gave us a bit of distance to think and evaluate. While gaining perspective remains a work in progress, here are a few observations:… Read More
