Crisco urges residents to attend hearings on proposed insurance rate hikes

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today urged residents of the 17^th state Senate District towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge to attend one or both public hearings next month on proposed health insurance rate increases as requested by Anthem, ConnectiCare and Aetna.

Joseph J. Crisco

“I’ll be testifying against these proposed rate increases, and I encourage my constituents to do the same,” Crisco said today. 

“I’ve already come out against the proposed mergers of  Anthem and Cigna, and Aetna and Humana, and my opposition to these rate increases is based on the same philosophy: they are not good for Connecticut policyholders. The public must make its voices heard and send a message that these proposed insurance rate increases from Anthem, ConnectiCare, and Aetna have to be rejected and re-evaluated.”

Anthem is seeking an average 26.8 percent increase for the 56,700 people covered under individual plans in Connecticut, and is also seeking an average 14.3 percent increase for the 42,200 people it covers in its “small group” plan for employers with 50 or fewer employees. 

ConnectiCare is seeking an average 14.3 percent rate increase on the 47,595 people it covers in Connecticut under individual plans.

According to published news reports, the proposed rate increases are higher than the 9.6 percent impact of medical cost inflation and increased demand for those services. 

The state Insurance Department has the authority to reject or modify rates requests, based on its review of the filings.

The Insurance Department is holding three public hearings over the course of two days:

•  Aug. 3,  9 a.m. – Anthem
•  Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – ConnectiCare
•  Aug. 4, 1 p.m. – Aetna

The hearings will be held at the Connecticut Insurance Department, 153 Market Street, Hartford, in the 7th Floor Hearing Room.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Open house slated at assisted living facility in Shelton

Crosby Commons at Wesley Village in Shelton. /Submitted photo

SHELTON - An Open House at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community will be held from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 4.

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village senior living campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. 
The award-winning community offers independent and assisted living options along with access to a wide continuum of senior care services on the campus, including specialized assisted living, memory support, short-term rehab, skilled nursing care, outpatient therapy and more. 

The community is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission based organization with a 140-year legacy of care and service to seniors. 
Tours of the community will be available as well as opportunities to chat with residents and staff. 

For more information or to RSVP, contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024, or at lbisson@umh.org, or by visiting www.crosbycommons.org. 


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Newsletter features new playground at Ansonia Nature Center

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter is out.

We write about the beautiful new playground at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, the ADA additions, and more.

Here is the link:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/329bf6_beb29899cde94bae9a5c548abfa7b438.pdf

Happy Reading!

Griffin Hospital slates annual fund-raising gala at venue in Prospect

Proceeds to support patient programs, services

Nationally-renowned magician, mentalist and entertainer Dennis Watkins will perform at the 2016 Griffin Gala Sept. 16 at Aria in Prospect./Contributed photo

The 2016 Griffin Hospital Gala will celebrate the elegance and enchantment of autumn with an evening of lavish food, enjoyable music and entertaining magic from 7-11:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Aria, 45 Murphy Road, Prospect.

The evening will feature an unforgettable combination of spectacular views, exquisite dining, and first-rate entertainment.

Guests will be treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while enjoying Aria’s delightful manicured and sculpted gardens, and breathtaking scenic views. 

A customized dinner will be served accompanied with live music before a one-of-a-kind performance by award-winning and nationally-renowned magician, mentalist and entertainer, Dennis Watkins. 

The evening closes out with dancing to the energetic, Latin-inspired sounds and funky beats of the 10-piece band, Sugar. 

There will also be a silent auction for guests to bid on exciting prizes.

Tickets start at $185 per person. Black tie is suggested.

Proceeds will benefit essential programs and services for the Griffin Hospital community, ensuring patients have access to state-of-the-art care in a healing, patient-centered, Planetree environment.

For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Lisa Nista at 203-732-7384 or email lnista@griffinhealth.org, or visit griffinhealth.org/gala.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Lawmakers announce $2.9M grant to protect Valley children from lead poisoning

HARTFORD - U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, along with U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, and Elizabeth Esty, all Democrats, Wednesday announced $2.9 million in federal grants to protect families from lead paint and other home health hazards in Naugatuck Valley Health District.

"Lead poisoning can cause devastating and irreversible damage, especially to our nation’s children,” Blumenthal said. 
"By addressing lead hazards head-on, this critical federal grant will help ensure that Naugatuck Valley children and their families are growing, playing, and learning in safe, lead-free homes."

“Lead can cause serious damage for children and families, and unfortunately the risk of lead poising spikes in the summer,” said Murphy. “Now is the time to remove old pipes and lead paint so families can feel safe in their homes. This almost $3 million federal grant will go a long way for the Naugatuck Valley.”

“Connecticut’s homes are some of the oldest in the nation and are at an alarmingly high risk for having lead paint. With this funding, we can ensure that more of our children and families can live in a safe, healthy environment,” said DeLauro. 
“There is no ‘healthy’ level of lead for the human body and we must act to address this issue. Congress should build on this funding and enact the Healthy Homes Tax Credit Act to help ensure that homeowners can raise their children in a place where they do not have to worry about toxic substances.”

“We spend a lot of time and energy worrying about threats from outside,” said Himes. 
“But, sometimes, the threats from inside are the most insidious. Directing federal resources toward combatting lead poisoning and other health hazards is a priority statement. We are saying loud and clear that the health of our families and children deserves more attention.”

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry about their kids being poisoned by pipes or paint in their own home, and they certainly shouldn’t have to go into debt to protect their children,” Esty said. 
“These grant funds will help protect potentially hundreds of Connecticut families from the lifelong health impacts of lead exposure. But Congress still needs to do its part and pass the Healthy Homes Tax Credit Act, so that homeowners in Connecticut and across the country have the resources they need to keep their families safe.”

The Naugatuck Valley Health District will be awarded $2,500,000 in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and $400,000 in Healthy Homes Supplemental funding to address lead hazards in 118 housing units and provide safer homes for low-income families with children. 

Naugatuck will partner with Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Connecticut Citizen Research Group, the Hartford and the Yale-New Haven Regional Lead Treatment Centers as well as various local governmental agencies and community organizations to implement the program. 


This is a press release from the House Democrats' office.