Rep. McCarty Testifies in Support of Healthcare and Elderly Care Initiatives

HARTFORD — State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38), member of the Legislature’s Public Health Committee, recently testified in favor of two bills that support protection for healthcare funds and the care of elderly citizens.

The first bill, H.B. 5493, would gradually phase out the ambulatory surgical center tax over a three-year period. It is currently awaiting a vote from the committee to move forward to the House.

Ambulatory Surgical Centers play a critical role in the overall functionality of Connecticut’s healthcare delivery system. They provide quality health care services in a cost-effective and timely manner to thousands of patients across the state that would otherwise be forced to seek medical attention in a hospital.

In 2015, the legislature enacted a new 6% gross receipts tax on Ambulatory Surgical Centers pursuant to a law passed last year, and amended in the June special session. This tax was instituted in addition to the sales and property taxes already levied on Ambulatory Surgical Centers.

“Connecticut is one of the highest taxed states in the nation and this new tax is just another unnecessary burden on a vital service in our healthcare sector,” Rep. McCarty wrote to the Finance Committee. “Ambulatory Surgical Centers need to be protected, NOT taxed more, in order to fulfill their mission in the delivery of quality healthcare services for Connecticut’s residents. Though they truly deserve for this tax to be repealed entirely, I believe this bill is a step in the right direction and I urge the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee to support it.”

The next bill, S.B. 167 – introduced by the Aging Committee – ensures elderly persons living in public housing are afforded sufficient backup power in emergencies.

Rep. McCarty said, “Given the severe storms that have occurred in our state over the past five years, and the devastating impact that extended power outages have had on the safety and well-being of our residents – particularly – our seniors, this bill, in my opinion is of the utmost importance today.”

“Many of our senior residents have health issues that rely on critical medical equipment to meet their complex health needs,” continued McCarty. “In the event that a housing unit is not equipped with a generator, and there is a power outage these residents are put at a dangerous health risk. Several seniors in my district have requested that SB 167 be given serious consideration and that housing complexes be furnished with generators. I recommend that a study commissioned by the Department of Housing be conducted using existing information that might be available from our agencies that interact with housing complexes. Hopefully, this study could be compiled using existing agency resources without requiring additional funds.”

This bill was today filed on the Senate Calendar, ready for action when the Senate convenes.

Rep. McCarty represents the 38th district of Waterford and Montville.