Community health workers deserve their promised reimbursement

February 11, 2026 - 08:57

More than two years after a firm commitment was made, Connecticut’s Medicaid program continues to withhold reimbursement for essential services provided by community health workers. This delay leaves a critical gap in the state's healthcare safety net and breaks a promise to both vulnerable residents and the frontline workers who support them.

Community health workers serve as vital connectors between medical systems and the communities they understand intimately. They provide culturally competent support, helping patients navigate complex healthcare, access social services, and manage chronic conditions. Their work is proven to improve health outcomes and reduce costly emergency room visits.

The ongoing failure to fund these services through Medicaid undermines public health initiatives and places unsustainable financial strain on the organizations employing these workers. Many programs operate on grants or limited funding, unable to expand this effective model to all who need it without stable reimbursement.

Advocates stress that further delay compromises care for low-income families, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. They are calling for immediate action to integrate and pay for these services, arguing that the state’s inaction contradicts its stated goals of improving healthcare equity and reducing long-term costs. The community health workforce, a trusted and proven resource, remains in limbo awaiting the support they were promised.