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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. After a busy week in eastern Connecticut, I’m here to share an update on my continued fight to protect our hospitals from health care cuts, the pay raise for Electric Boat shipbuilders, and lots more. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Fighting for Our Hospitals
As the risk of drastic cuts to Medicaid grows with passage of H.R. 1 the misnamed "One Big Beautiful Bill", the leadership of one of eastern Connecticut’s flagship acute care hospitals – Lawrence + Memorial in New London, briefed me about the devastating impact it would have on patient care.
Medicaid covers 40% of L+M patients. They and hospitals all across the country are dumbfounded at the level of cuts which now are included in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.
As the American Hospital Association bluntly stated this week: "the magnitude of Medicaid reductions and changes to health insurance marketplaces will shift millions of Americans from insured to uninsured status... These cuts will strain emergency departments as they become the family doctor to millions of newly uninsured people... the proposal will force hospitals to reconsider services or potentially close." I want to thank Dr. Mayorga, ER Dr. Mittleman, Chief Nurse Shannon Christian, and President Lisitano for their frank, honest assessment that H.R. 1 needs to be stopped.
Revitalizing Shipbuilding
Good news. A new wage increase has officially landed in Electric Boat workers’ paychecks. This pay raise comes from funding passed by Congress in December 2024, delivered to Electric Boat by the Navy, and secured through collective bargaining. The work of Marine Draftsman UAW President Bill Louis and Metal Trades Council President Peter Baker shows how collective bargaining is rebuilding America's defense industrial base. Eastern Connecticut shipbuilders are the best of the best. This pay raise is richly deserved, and will go a long way to boosting hiring and retainment at the Groton shipyard.
Revitalizing America’s domestic shipbuilding of non-Navy vessels is also critical to our national and economic security. On Tuesday, I traveled to Boston Ship Repair to join my colleagues Rep. Stephen Lynch and Rep. Jarred Golden and IAM union members to rally bipartisan support for shipbuilding. To revitalize domestic shipbuilding, we must provide our shipyards and shipbuilders with the demand they need to make investments in their future and the future of the industry.
Marking 10 Years of Grassroots Efforts to Address Crumbling Foundations
It has been 10 years since the crisis of crumbling concrete foundations popped for homeowners in our region. On Monday in Bolton, I sat down with "Concrete Queen" Debbie MacCoy for a taped discussion on the grassroots efforts over the past decade to secure help on the local, federal, and particularly state level to repair homes hit by pyrrhotite damage. Federal funds helped with testing, "gap" financing, and ancillary expenses, but the state captive insurance program was the real game changer.
We were joined by Willington homeowner Tim Heim, who founded the Crumbling Foundations Advocacy Coalition, Linda Tofolowsky of Tolland, Debbie’s strong ally whose foundation failed 30 years ago, Pauline Yoder of the Capitol Region Council of Governments, and Frank Forsano of the Condo 5 Group and Ryefield condos in Vernon.
There are still many homes at risk of pyrrhotite damage, and it is critical that we redouble our efforts to stabilize the home and real estate markets in Connecticut that have been ravaged by this insidious defective concrete. The nonpartisan collaboration that has rescued so many homes and family estates is a real success story for grass roots organizing.
Joining the New England Council
Thanks to the New England Council for hosting me in Hartford on Monday to discuss the latest news from Congress. Once again, there was serious concern over the health care cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill. These cuts will have devastating real life impacts on our communities. All to pay for a tax break for the ultra-wealthy who don't need it. And the final result is a bill which will increase the deficit by $2.8 trillion, according to the latest analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.
Keeping a Fallen Solider's Memory Alive
Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel's Gold Star family from Madison has made a positive difference for veterans in need and kept the sacred memory of Capt. Pedersen-Keel's sacrifice alive after he was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013. At this weekend's Travelers Championship in Cromwell, APK Charities, founded by Capt. Pedersen-Keel's parents Bob and Helen Pedersen-Keiser, will partner with the tournament as part of the Birdies for Charity Initiative, which provides a 50 percent bonus on fundraising for local organizations. Kudos to Bob and Helen for their tireless work.
Extreme Hot Weather Protocol in Effect
Heads up: Governor Lamont has activated Connecticut's Extreme Hot Weather Protocol from noon on Sunday, June 22nd through at least 8:00pm on Wednesday, June 25th. Temperatures are expected to rise above 90 degrees during this time, with a heat index between 100 and 105 degrees. Under the protocol, our most vulnerable neighbors can receive increased protection from the heat. Cooling centers will be available throughout the Connecticut. People can locate their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211ct.org. To learn more about the Extreme Hot Health Protocol, click here. Please stay safe during this extreme heat.
Thanks for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139.
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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