Talk to people involved the mental health system and it won’t be long before you hear complaints about the difficulty of getting private insurance to pay for mental health services. Some advocates say the answer is to better enforce state and federal laws requiring equal coverage for mental health and medical services. Some clinicians and […]
For better mental health coverage, help with the paperwork
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Post- Sandy building standards are in effect
By: Georgia Lobb The federal government recently announced new building standards for structures that were damaged in Superstorm Sandy. The verdict is to build higher to avoid possible water damage. “Northeast flood zones now have tougher re-building requirements that apply across the board: to houses, businesses and government infrastructure,” according to Transportation Nation. U>S> Housing […]
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In Connecticut visit, Obama urges ‘Stand up’ for our children
West Hartford — Hoping to re-energize pro-gun safety efforts on Capitol Hill, President Obama visited Connecticut on Monday, using this state’s sweeping new reforms as a catalyst. The president told an audience of thousands that packed the University of Hartford’s Sports Center that gun safety advocates must speak loudly — and immediately — if substantive […]
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‘I see life here — I see life is going on.’
Newtown — After the tragedy, the center of town nearly emptied. The brook still flowed through the small, downtown-like area, of course, but many of the once-bustling businesses of Sandy Hook Village are now boarded up. “I’ve had several people say that they just didn’t feel comfortable coming down here,” said Sharon Doherty, who’s lived […]
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Obama taking Newtown families to Washington
Washington — When he returns to Washington on Air Force One from his speech this evening on gun-control at the University of Hartford, President Obama will be accompanied by 11 residents of Newtown who lost family members in the Sandy Hook shooting. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the Newtown families will spend two […]
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Rep. Abercrombie apologizes for rushing past Sandy Hook parents
Rep. Cathy Abercrombie, whose hurried walk past the parents of children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School was captured in a 60 Minutes segment Sunday night, issued an apology Monday, saying she didn’t realize who the parents were. “I would like to apologize to each of the Sandy Hook parents for rushing past them at […]
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Sandy Hook parents on 60 Minutes
The parents of the slain children and faculty at Sandy Hook Elementary School appeared Sunday on 60 Minutes in advance of today’s lobbying for gun-control in Washington and Hartford. Here is that video: Part One: Part Two: Part Three:
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Legislative panel tackles contractors, cross-endorsements and ethics before deadline
The General Assembly’s elections panel endorsed a measure Friday that would allow state contractors to contribute to municipal politics — but opted against lifting a ban on contractor money in state races. The Government Administration and Elections Committee finished its deadline work Friday, also approving a bill that would ban candidate cross-endorsements on election ballots. […]
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While gun control wins in Connecticut, it flounders in Washington
Washington – Gun control advocates had big wins this week in Connecticut, Maryland and Colorado, but attempts to tighten gun laws have hit major snags in Washington. The Senate was expected to take up a package of gun-control bills next week that is much weaker than legislation approved by Connecticut and other states. For example, […]
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Connecticut’s request for Sandy funding pale by comparison
Washington — After Hurricane Sandy devastated their states, the governors of New York and New Jersey tapped big-name consulting firms to create voluminous, detailed requests for help from the federal government. New York state, which sought a total of $32 billion from Washington, submitted a 56-page report with the help of Price Waterhouse Coopers. It […]
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End-of-life bill dies in committee
A proposal to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill, mentally competent patients won’t make it out of the Public Health Committee this year. Supporters said the bill had enough support to clear the committee, but it was removed from the agenda out of concern that a lengthy discussion could stymie the rest […]
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Women lawmakers moving to punish pimps
There has been a “dramatic increase” in the number of children being sold for sex in the state, the state’s child welfare agency told state legislators Friday. These 100 child “sex slaves” that have been identified in the last few years is the result of the Department of Children and Families placing an emphasis on […]
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Community providers association gets new leader
The Connecticut Community Providers Association is getting a new leader: Morna A. Murray, an attorney with experience advocating for programs at the federal level. Murray most recently served as vice president and counsel at First Focus, which advocates for children and families in federal policy and budget issues. She previously worked for Robert P. Casey, […]
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Gun restriction irks mental health advocates
Advocates for people with mental illness began this legislative session with trepidation. Would lawmakers, eager to pass a strong response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, adopt restrictive measures against people with mental illness? Would the new law treat people with mental illness as sources of violence, even though they’re more likely […]
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Malloy signs Newtown gun bill, calls for healing
With the parents of Sandy Hook’s young victims peering over his shoulder, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed a bipartisan gun-control bill into law at noon Thursday, just 10 hours after final passage by the General Assembly. “This is a profoundly emotional day, I think, for everyone in this room,” Malloy said. “We have come together […]