Shifting Policies and Local Realities: The State of Healthcare in Greater New Haven (RECORDED)

On Dec. 15, The Foundation hosted a webinar on the state of healthcare and the effects of recent federal policy changes on local providers, families and communities. This online panel, moderated by The Community Foundation President & CEO Karen DuBois-Walton, explored recent changes to reproductive and maternal health care access, hospital and clinical service delivery and community-based supports.

What We Heard

• The “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed in 2025 significantly changes the way the federal government funds healthcare.
• Medicaid imposes new work reporting requirements that will cause thousands of people to lose health coverage. Hospitals, including Yale New Haven Health System, will feel a significant strain on resources.
• As many as 50,000 people will potentially lose subsidies from the state’s health insurance exchange, Access Health CT. The state is looking to temporarily fund the gap.
• The Federal policy changes are forcing healthcare costs down to the local level.
• While the funding changes won’t result in a lack of care, health systems will look at other ways to manage their budgets.
• A provision prevents Medicaid from reimbursing care provided by Planned Parenthood, which amounts to a 25% loss in revenue. This will lead to reduced access to both routine care and abortion services. 

What You Can Do

• Contact your representative. Share a story about why healthcare matters to you.
• Support community-based healthcare organizations.

Resources for You

• Coverage at Risk: Projected Losses in Medicaid and Access Health CT by Town and Community: A comprehensive report and interactive map produced by Datahaven.
• National Healthy Start Association Resource Center: Education and advocacy materials in support of infant and maternal health. 

Panelists: