Lawmakers who support repeal say parents don’t want to send their children to school with unvaccinated classmates.

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.
Advocates press for a wider definition of family in paid leave bill
State Rep. Anne Hughes took unpaid leave when she donated a kidney to her godson in 2015. Tuesday, Hughes and others called not only for paid family medical leave, but for an expanded definition of “family.”
Connecticut lawmakers advance hemp legislation
Advocates, who believe commercial hemp production will help struggling dairy farms, acknowledged the measures still have a long way to go before they achieve final passage.
Connecticut legislators unveil public option for health insurance
The proposals would extend state health benefits to small businesses and nonprofits, and explore a public option for individuals.
Legislation would require insurers to submit annual reports on parity
The bill would also mandate insurance company cover drugs prescribed for substance abuse treatment, and cover treatment regardless of whether it is court ordered.
Inmate who delivered baby in prison cell sues state for denying medical care
Tianna Laboy was 19-years-old when she delivered her baby in a prison cell toilet at York Correctional Institution last winter. Now she is suing the Department of Correction and others for allegedly denying her medical care before the birth of her first child.
Bill seeks to reduce the cost of prescription drugs
Under the proposal, anyone would be able to obtain a drug discount card through a program run by the comptroller, while employers would be able to contract with the state’s pharmacy benefits manager to reduce drug costs.
Connecticut to join legal battle over new Trump abortion policy
Connecticut will join other states suing to block a new Trump administration mandate that bars federal family-planning money from going to health care groups that offer abortion referrals.