State Senator Joe Crisco provides a legislative update in a letter to neighbors. Key points include: 1) Crisco worked to expand healthcare coverage and protect consumers through legislation regarding breast cancer detection, autism insurance coverage, and requiring disclosure of medical loss ratios. 2) The Biomedical Research Fund continues to provide over $2 million annually for research into diseases like cancer and heart disease. 3) Crisco secured state funding for local initiatives in Bethany and a grant for the Connecticut Women's Caucus for Art.

1. Dear Neighbor,
The 2009 Legislative Session has come to a close.
Trails for Equine
State Senator
joe criSco
Use Preserved
As Co-Chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Connecticut has among the
Committee, I fought for and achieved passage of highest number of horses
legislation that benefits patients, physicians and per-capita in the nation.
consumers. I am proud of these accomplishments But equestrians have been
and hope that you will take a moment to review the dismayed by the decline in Legislative Office Building, Room 2800
legislation discussed in this newsletter. open space traditionally Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1591
Please review the information about the Biomedical used for riding. We, therefore, Capitol: 1-800-842-1420
Research Fund. The Fund continues to make grants passed legislation that E-mail: Crisco@senatedems.ct.gov
available for research into heart disease, cancer requires the Department of Web: SenatorCrisco.cga.ct.gov
and other smoking-related illnesses. Environmental Protection to
As of this writing, legislators continue to meet in preserve the following State
PRSRT STD
order to address matters that remain unresolved— Park Trails for equine use: U.S. POSTAGE
the budget, major health care reform and other Larkin, Airline, Hop River, PAID
HARTFORD CT
issues. Your calls and e-mails have been extremely Moosup Valley, and Natchaug
PERMIT NO. 3937
important at this time; they help me understand State Forest, as well as any
your priorities and provide guidance for my other trails recommended by
deliberations. The outcome of this process will be the Equine Advisory Council.
discussed in a future newsletter.
Sincerely,
State Senator Joe Crisco

2. State Senator Joe Crisco’s
Legislative Update
As Co-Chairman of the insurance and Real Estate Committee i worked hard to expand health care coverage,
enhance our health care system and protect consumers:
SPECiAl STATE FUnding
FOR BETHAny
Breast Cancer Early detection Biomedical Research Fund Continues
I was pleased to make available state grants to
Now, all mammography reports must include information I am proud to report that the Biomedical Research Fund,
help with local initiatives:
about breast density. The requirement is necessary because which was created through legislation I introduced, remains
mammograms may be limited in finding cancers in patients with strong. In 2009, the fund allocated more than $2 million $8,000 Town of Bethany: Veterans
dense breast tissue. for research into cancer, heart disease and other smoking- Memorial Park
related illnesses. Since its inception, the Biomedical $5,000 Bethany Volunteer Fire Department
Autism Spectrum disorder insurance Coverage
Research Fund has distributed more than $8 million in
We expanded group health insurance to cover the diagnosis and CUlTURE And TOURiSm
funding to Connecticut hospitals, medical schools and PARTnERSHiP gRAnT
treatment of autism spectrum disorders. With the rate of autistic
institutions of higher learning for these purposes.
births growing, this legislation will help many families obtain
$2,963 Connecticut Women’s Caucus for Art
necessary early interventions for their children. Protecting the Health of Our Residents:
Banning Bisphenol-A FEdERAl AmERiCAn RECOvERy
Consumer Report Card on
Health insurance Carriers Bisphenol-A, a chemical used to make polycarbonate And REinvESTmEnT ACT (ARRA)
plastics, has been shown to be toxic. We therefore banned
What percentage of your insurance premium goes toward covering the $41,117 Energy Efficiency Conservation
the sale, manufacture or distribution of infant formula and
costs of your medical services and supplies? Now, that information— Block Grant
baby food stored in containers made with Bisphenol-A, and
known as the “medical loss ratio”—must be disclosed by each insurer
also reusable food and beverage containers made with
and HMO to an enrollee, and must be included in the insurance
this chemical. The legislation takes effect October 1, 2011.
commissioner’s annual health insurance consumer report card.