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Yesterday the CT Mirror published an article in the "Health" section titled, "HHS ban on serving undocumented clients a ‘fundamental shift,’ CT health centers say."

The very first sentence of the article expresses concern about whether federally qualified health centers in the state "can continue serving undocumented residents — a key patient base" ever since the Trump Administration announced that it would "stop states from misusing federal Medicaid dollars to cover health care for individuals who are in the country illegally."

Shawn K. Frick, CEO of the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, issued a statement to the Mirror saying, in part, that the announcement raised "significant questions about how community health centers in Connecticut and across the country can continue to meet their legal and moral obligations” -- presumably he means to serve illegal immigrants.

The article went on to say that health centers might actually have to verify immigration status before providing service, and in the next sentence tugs at the heart strings by telling you how many children are enrolled in the program.

The usual cast of characters from the Connecticut democrat party featured in the article, including Attorney General William Tong, who is, of course, evaluating his "options" for legal action.

In the meantime, Governor Ned Lamont Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves stepped in to save the day today, announcing an agreement with the 17 community health centers in Connecticut regarding a three-year plan to boost Medicaid reimbursement rates for the centers that service 440,000 people, including illegals, across the state each year.

The agreement will phase in rate increases over three years totaling approximately $80 million by June 30, 2028. The deal also clarifies the process for these centers to request rate adjustments based on the scope of services they offer and authorizes collaboration between the state and the centers to develop alternative payment models.

“While Republicans in Congress are defunding Medicaid and raising health care costs for all Americans, here in Connecticut we are making key investments in primary care, dental, and behavioral health,” Governor Lamont said in a written statement. “Our community health centers are a lifeline for our residents, providing care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay, and this agreement helps to provide sustainable and reliable care for those who count on them.”

“These investments will position the community health centers to lead in value-based care, improve patient outcomes, and community health,” Commissioner Barton Reeves said. “The Federally Qualified Health Centers are essential partners in delivering high quality, affordable health care to all residents. We look forward to continuing to build our partnership, with the shared goals of addressing the health care needs of Connecticut’s residents and increasing access to preventative care throughout the state.”

“We appreciate the willingness of Governor Lamont and Commissioner Reeves’s teams to continue to work with our health centers towards this agreement,” said the same Shawn Frick who was quoted in the CT Mirror yesterday. “Patients across the state will benefit from this investment in primary care.”

Mark Masselli, CEO of CHC, Inc., the largest health center in the state, agreed, stating, “Many thanks to all who worked together to achieve this compromise.”

The agreement provides:

• A three-year phase in of new rates, reflective of 2023 costs for each health center, beginning on October 1, 2025.
• A new “change in scope” process.
• Change the appeals process for Federally Qualified Health Centers to align with other Medicaid providers beginning January 1, 2027.
• Withdrawal of the declaratory ruling request.

At the press briefing, Democrat State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney made it clear that the intention is to continue to use these health centers to serve illegals, and even mentioned the Fair Haven center, where he once served on the Board, noting it had "the highest caseload of undocumented patients in the state."

"Taking care of people, no questions asked -- that's what it means to be a Community Health Center," promised Governor Lamont. "It represents the very best of health care in our country."

Lamont went on to say he was worried about "some of the storm clouds out there right now" in reference to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

"I was a fan of Senator Bobby Kennedy. And Senator Bobby Kennedy famously said the worst form of discrimination is discrimination based upon race or country of origin, and there he was with Cesar Chavez and a bunch of folks, not sure of their documentation status," said Lamont, explaining that this is just what the health centers do, "take care of you no questions asked."

Then Lamont encouraged everyone to take advantage of the health care centers.

"We found out during covid, you know that it doesn't do any good if maybe you get vaccinated and somebody else doesn't. We're all in this together. That's the meaning of public health," said Lamont. "I want everybody to be safe. I want everybody to have the tests. I want everybody to get those vaccinations."

"I hope the current Head of HHS remembers what his dad was all about," said Lamont as he wrapped up the conference, promising to get the health centers funding to "where it needs to be."

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