The February 19th Public Health Committee public hearing on repealing the non-medical exemption for childhood immunization lasted a record-breaking 21+ hours. This is quickly becoming the most contentious public policy issue of the legislative session, especially since there will be no votes on highway tolls this year. Click here to find out more and read HHC’s testimony in support of the bill or watch video of the hearing, which begins with testimony from Department of Public Health Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell and State Epidemiologist Matthew Cartter.
HHC also testified against a provision of the Governor’s proposed budget that would cut the reimbursement rate for Natchaug Hospital, which provides one of only six inpatient pediatric units in the state and has long been underfunded. Proposals were also filed this week to ban physician non-compete agreements, protect the privacy of patient data, and revise regulations around in-home caregivers and compounding pharmacies. HHC will submit testimony on many of these topics in the coming weeks.
