State officials are encouraging people with multiple co-morbidities and older residents to get a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Jenna Carlesso
Jenna is CT Mirror’s Health Reporter, focusing on health access, affordability, quality, equity and disparities, social determinants of health, health system planning, infrastructure, processes, information systems, and other health policy. Before joining CT Mirror Jenna was a reporter at The Hartford Courant for 10 years, where she consistently won statewide and regional awards. Jenna has a Master of Science degree in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and a Bachelor or Arts degree in Journalism from Grand Valley State University.
Posted inPolitics
Lawmakers not giving up on bill to expand Medicaid to undocumented kids
The bill to expand HUSKY to undocumented children up to 18 failed in committee, but some think it could be included in the budget implementer
Posted inHealth
Three bills deal with children’s mental health. Here’s what they would do.
The children’s mental health crisis in Connecticut and elsewhere has spurred several proposals now under consideration by lawmakers.
Posted inHealth
With limited timetable, advocates press for ban on flavored vaping products
The bill has triggered pushback from people who say that vaping is an important alternative for those who are quitting smoking.
Posted inGovernment
State, plaintiffs in Juan F. case seek end to DCF’s federal oversight
In 2020, for the first time in almost three decades, a federal monitor found that DCF had sufficiently lowered caseloads for social workers.
Posted inHealth
Bill requiring nursing homes to spend more on direct care won’t advance
Proponents of a bill that would require CT nursing homes to use 90% of Medicaid funding on direct care vowed to revive the measure next year.
Posted inHealth
House unveils broad mental health bill
The bill includes initiatives to improve and expand mental health workforce development, services in schools, insurance coverage and more.
Posted inHealth
CT senate leaders announce big children’s mental health bills
Legislators have described the mental health crisis among children as one of the most crucial priorities this session.
Posted inHealth
Prescription drug cap among Lamont’s planned health care reforms
Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled health care proposals aimed at increasing accessibility, promoting primary care and curbing the cost of medication.
Posted inHealth
Lamont budget would expand mental health services, other health care initiatives
New psychiatric beds and other services for children top a list of mental health investments in the $24.2 billion budget Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled Wednesday.
Posted inHealth
Lawmakers eye lofty health care reforms in short session
The ambitious agenda includes bills tackling the mental health crisis, prescription drug costs and aid in dying.
Posted inEducation
Lamont to leave mask mandate up to school districts
Gov. Ned Lamont recommended Monday that the statewide mask mandate for students and staff in school buildings cease at the end of February.
Posted inHealth
Proponents of aid-in-dying legislation planning strong push this session
Leaders on the Public Health Committee say they have marked the proposal “No. 1” in importance, and legislators say they’ll press for a vote.
Posted inNews
CT asks nursing homes to accept COVID-positive admissions from hospitals
Thursday’s guidance puts additional pressure on nursing homes as cases rise sharply and staffing issues persist, providers said.
Posted inNews
Pediatric COVID cases rising rapidly in Connecticut
“We have children who come to the emergency room with symptoms and are so sick they end up in ICU.”