Hundreds rally for expanded health coverage

HARTFORD -- On the day the Trump administration froze federal funding for some major Connecticut programs, about 500 people, many migrant residents from Latin American countries, filled the north atrium of the state Capitol asking state lawmakers to expand the state's HUSKY health care program for low-income residents to include children up to age 26.

Another bill, proposed by veteran Rep. Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, would expand coverage for immigrant youth from the current 15 years of age to 26, as well as for those over 65. Both proposals await further action in committee.

For a 17-year-old undocumented Danbury High School student who was afraid of attending the event and possibly getting apprehended by immigration authorities, expanding eligibility in the state program would mean better health outcomes for he and his family. The student was not named due to the possibility of becoming a target of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"I have goals to go to college and study, but I can't reach them if something happens to my health and I don't have health insurance," said the student, a member of Connecticut Students for a Dream who found HUSKY health coverage for his younger sister. She is the only one in her family enrolled in the public insurance program.

His mother, however, has endured pain through an infected tooth for the last three years. His remarks were read during a noontime event. "It got so bad we had to go to an informal doctor to get help," the student said, stressing that the procedure of removing the infected tooth was not performed by a certified physician.

"We're also human," the teen said. "We also have lives. We need health insurance to be healthy and to support our families."

State Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London, said the issue transcends policy, "but to stand up for justice, to stand up for equity and the basic dignity that every human person deserves in Connecticut." He said that the state's slogan as being "The Constitution State" requires people to protect the rights of every resident whether or not they were born in the United States.

"Health care is not a privilege," he said. "It is a right. Immigrants, many of whom have called this state home for years, are workers, neighbors, friends, contributors to our tax bracket of amazing amounts and share prosperity. Yet they are denied comprehensive health care under the HUSKY program solely because of their immigration status. This is not fair. It is a moral failing and it must end."

Speaking in both Spanish and English, Candelaria said that his community is suffering. "It takes courage to be here today in the current climate that exists in this nation," he said. "I commend all of you for being here." Advocates said there were several lawyers monitoring the event to make sure participants were free from any possible encounters with federal immigration officials.

"Health care is a right for everybody," said the twelfth-term lawmakers. "We're not going to go quiet. We are going to fight. This right merits the struggles. We need you to fight with us side-by-side. We need to be more-united today than ever, because the threat is real."