What's Happening?
A coalition of 16 disability rights groups in Connecticut is urging Democratic Governor Ned Lamont to continue funding Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). This call comes as the governor
prepares to release his proposed two-year budget in February 2027. Advocates gathered at the Capitol on November 12, 2026, to launch a statewide campaign emphasizing the importance of these programs, which enable people with disabilities and older adults to live at home and within their communities. Ryan Loosemore, a beneficiary of the Community First Choice (CFC) program for over a decade, shared his personal story, highlighting how the program allowed him to transition from a nursing facility back into the community after a life-altering bicycle accident at age 16. The governor's director of communications, Cathryn Vaulman, stated that the administration recognizes the importance of these services and is committed to ensuring quality care and strengthening the disability community.
Why It's Important?
The funding of Medicaid home and community-based services is crucial for thousands of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults, offering them independence and a higher quality of life outside institutional settings. These programs, like Community First Choice, provide essential support that allows individuals to direct their own long-term care, fostering community integration and personal autonomy. The debate over funding also reflects broader fiscal challenges within state budgets, as Medicaid costs have significantly increased, with CFC alone rising from $88.8 million in fiscal year 2018 to $371 million in fiscal year 2025. Previous attempts by Governor Lamont to overhaul the CFC program by changing it from an entitlement to a waiver program faced strong public opposition, underscoring the deep reliance and emotional investment the community has in these services. Any reduction in funding or changes to program structure could force vulnerable individuals back into institutional care, reversing years of progress in disability rights and independent living.
What's Next?
The immediate next step is Governor Ned Lamont's release of his proposed two-year budget in February 2027, which will detail his administration's financial commitments to various state programs, including Medicaid HCBS. Disability rights advocates plan to continue their statewide campaign to influence the budget process, urging constituents to communicate with the governor about the importance of these services. The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities, through its executive director Walter Glomb, has emphasized that now is the critical time for those who depend on these programs to make their voices heard. The legislative process following the budget proposal will involve deliberations and potential amendments by the state legislature, where advocates will likely continue their lobbying efforts to secure robust funding for home and community-based care. The outcome will determine the level of support available for people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut for the next two fiscal years.
Beyond the Headlines
The ongoing advocacy for Medicaid home and community-based services in Connecticut highlights a national conversation about long-term care, disability rights, and the balance between fiscal responsibility and social welfare. The shift from institutional care to community-based services represents a fundamental change in how society supports its most vulnerable members, emphasizing dignity, independence, and inclusion. This movement also touches upon the economic benefits of HCBS, as studies often show that community-based care can be more cost-effective than institutionalization in the long run, while also contributing to local economies through the creation of caregiving jobs. The anxiety expressed by beneficiaries like Ryan Loosemore underscores the precariousness many individuals face when essential services are subject to budget fluctuations, revealing systemic vulnerabilities in the social safety net. The outcome in Connecticut could serve as a precedent or a case study for other states grappling with similar challenges in funding and sustaining vital long-term care programs.
