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April 26, 2021
Senator Martin Looney
Senator Bob Duff
Senator Kevin Kelly
Senator Paul Formica
Senator Matt Lesser
Senator Tony Hwang
Dear Senators,
On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing over 2,400 members I write to urge you to expedite passage of S.B. 1022: AAC Telehealth.
S.B. 1022 has strong bipartisan support and I know that I need not write to you about the key provision of the bill or it’s importance. I am fully aware of your support for addressing the need for telehealth. What I am writing about is to inform you of the impact on thousands and thousands of consumers and providers who face the uncertainty of whether current telehealth provisions will continue as determined in Governor Lamont’s executive order. Just as the business community calls for a stable business environment for planning purposes, mental health and health care providers seek the same.
Every time that we near a deadline for telehealth continuance I receive calls from clinical social workers who do not know how to advise their clients on ongoing treatment through telehealth. This running up to the expiration date is most disruptive to continuity of care. The Governor’s executive orders have been at the last minute, which creates further confusion and unnecessary tensions. It is time that consumers and providers have the peace of mind by knowing that AAC Telehealth has been passed and signed by the Governor.
NASW/CT urges the State Senate to act now to pass S.B. 1022 and send it to the House for action well in advance of the May 20, 2021 expiration of the current telehealth executive order.
Telehealth has opened access to consumers who previously had difficulty or were unable to seek in-person care. It has especially benefited behavioral health care clients and providers. Going forward, telehealth will be a significant means of delivering health care and it is time that the Legislature acted to make it permanent.
Thank you for consideration of this letter and our Chapter looks forward to seeing positive action in the immediate future.
Sincerely,
Stephen Wanczyk-Karp, LMSW
Executive Director
I am an LCSW in private practice in Lebanon, CT. I urge you to support the telehealth bill. The access it has given to many of my clients who struggled to find childcare in the past is worth keeping this option!!! The mental wellness of parents is of utmost importance as they care for their children 24/7 without additional stressors on their plate. Please be mindful that this telehealth bill also sends the message that mental health matters too!!
Thank you for your consideration.
Lynn Ereshena Manning LCSW
Thank you Steve for all the hard work you do for all of us and the attention you pay to the needs of not only Social Workers but ALL the different people we ALL help ALL the time! There are SO very many different populations of people in need on a regular basis. During the Pandemic we Social Worker need has increased 1000% and your efforts have made it possible for all of us to help the vast population of those people in CT.
Thank you for caring and for making life a little bit easier for Social Workers to make life a little bit easier for the people of CT.
Eve Applebaum, LCSW