Connecticut disability groups demand continued funding for home care programs
Sixteen organizations pressured Gov. Ned Lamont to protect Medicaid services before the 2027 budget release.
By Nadia Rahman ·
A coalition of 16 advocacy groups gathered at the Connecticut State Capitol on Thursday to press Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont for continued funding of home and community-based Medicaid services. The event marked the start of a statewide campaign aimed at preserving programs that allow people with disabilities and older adults to live independently rather than in institutional settings.
Ryan Loosemore, a resident of Middletown, joined the advocates to share his personal experience with the system. At age 16, Loosemore broke his neck in a bicycle accident. After two years in a rehabilitation hospital, he was unable to return home because his mother lacked the necessary support. He spent the next year and a half in a nursing facility before enrolling in Community First Choice, a state Medicaid program that lets participants direct their own long-term care.
Loosemore has been on the program for more than 10 years. He described the transition from the institution to the community as life-changing. He said the program gave him his life back after a period of uncertainty following his injury.
The group’s timing aligns with the drafting of the state’s biennial budget. Walter Glomb, executive director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities, urged residents who depend on these services to communicate their needs to the governor now. He noted that raising awareness is essential while lawmakers shape the upcoming financial plan.
Concerns over cost have intensified the debate. CFC spending rose from $88.8 million in fiscal year 2018 to $371 million in fiscal year 2025. Lamont’s administration previously proposed converting CFC from an entitlement to a waiver program, a change that would have limited access for some participants. The governor reversed that proposal after facing strong public opposition.
Cathryn Vaulman, Lamont’s director of communications, stated that the administration is committed to ensuring residents receive quality care. She said the office is working alongside the disability community to strengthen these services. Glomb warned that increased Medicaid costs are driving current worries about potential service reductions.
Loosemore said the possibility of cuts causes him anxiety. He said he is advocating for the importance of home care services because they directly affect people with disabilities like himself. Lamont is scheduled to release his proposed two-year budget in February 2027.
