CT Lawmakers Seek Funding to Boost Pay for Medical, Home Health Professionals

Legislative leaders say higher Medicaid reimbursement rates are needed to attract and retain critical healthcare workers

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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State lawmakers in Connecticut are pushing for increased funding to raise pay for medical professionals, including home health aides, amid concerns about worker shortages and diminishing federal healthcare support. Speaking at a meeting of the state comptroller's Healthcare Cabinet, legislators from both parties agreed that boosting Medicaid reimbursement rates is a key priority for the upcoming legislative session in order to attract and retain essential healthcare workers.

Why it matters

Connecticut's healthcare system is facing significant challenges, including worker shortages, reduced federal funding, and rising costs. Lawmakers believe that increasing pay for medical and home health professionals through higher Medicaid rates is crucial to ensuring access to care, especially for vulnerable populations that rely on Medicaid coverage.

The details

During the Healthcare Cabinet meeting, state representatives Jillian Gilchrest and Cristine McCarthy Vahey, co-chairs of the legislative Human Services and Public Health Committees respectively, emphasized the need to raise salaries for healthcare workers. They noted that a recent 8-cent pay increase for nurses was insufficient, and that without better compensation, workers will continue to leave the profession. Republican lawmakers like Jason Perillo and Nicole Klarides-Ditria agreed that Connecticut has some of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the country, which contributes to the workforce challenges.

  • The Healthcare Cabinet meeting took place on Monday, February 9, 2026.
  • The Connecticut General Assembly's short, budget-adjustment legislative session is heading towards an early May 2026 adjournment deadline.

The players

Sean Scanlon

The Connecticut state comptroller who oversees the Healthcare Cabinet and its annual report.

Jillian Gilchrest

A Democratic state representative and co-chair of the legislative Human Services Committee.

Cristine McCarthy Vahey

A Democratic state representative and co-chair of the legislative Public Health Committee.

Jason Perillo

A Republican state senator and ranking member of the legislative Public Health Committee.

Nicole Klarides-Ditria

A Republican state representative and ranking member of the legislative Public Health Committee.

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What they’re saying

“We are not paying the workforce what we owe them. When the result of last year is a nurse getting an 8-cent increase, we didn't do our job.”

— Jillian Gilchrest, State Representative, Co-Chair of the legislative Human Services Committee

“We have some of the lowest rates in the country, and those lead to higher payments for employees and employers because the cost of running a hospital shifts from government insurance to private insurance.”

— Jason Perillo, State Senator, Ranking Member of the legislative Public Health Committee

“Increasing provider rates will bring down the cost of health care for people on Medicaid but also on private insurance as that's where they've been making up the difference. Higher Medicaid payment rates can attract more providers, improve access and reduced uncompensated care.”

— Nicole Klarides-Ditria, State Representative, Ranking Member of the legislative Public Health Committee

What’s next

The Connecticut General Assembly will consider legislation during its upcoming budget-adjustment session to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for healthcare providers, with the goal of boosting pay and retaining critical medical and home health professionals.

The takeaway

Connecticut's healthcare system is under significant strain, with worker shortages and diminishing federal support. Lawmakers from both parties agree that raising Medicaid reimbursement rates is a necessary step to attract and retain essential medical professionals, including home health aides, and ensure access to care for vulnerable populations.