New Haven – A looming change to federal work requirements could leave as many as 110,000 Connecticut residents without HUSKY Medicaid coverage beginning Jan. 1. In response, the local nonprofit Project Access‑New Haven is scaling up its outreach corps to connect uninsured patients with free medical care.
Why the cuts matter
The new rules, announced by the federal government, tighten eligibility for Medicaid programs that many low‑income families rely on for basic health services. Without the program, thousands risk losing access to essential surgeries, routine check‑ups, and treatment for chronic conditions.
Project Access‑New Haven’s model
Project Access currently employs 14 staff members who locate uninsured individuals in need, then match them with volunteer physicians who have pledged to provide care at no cost. Patient navigators assist with appointment preparation and transportation, while community health workers address related challenges such as addiction and homelessness to promote long‑term health stability.
Each year the organization serves roughly 800 uninsured locals and has secured commitments from more than 900 doctors willing to treat patients for free.
Fundraising push
To prepare for the anticipated surge in need, the group is hosting a 16th‑anniversary celebration at the Lawn Club on Oct. 8, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will honor seven founding physicians and aims to raise $50,000, with the longer‑term goal of expanding staff and outreach capacity. Donations can be made directly through the event’s online portal.
Leadership perspective
Executive Director Stacy‑Ann Walker emphasized the urgency, noting, “When families lose Medicaid, they lose a safety net that protects their health and their children’s futures.” Clinical program supervisor Ma’Glinda Ager added that the organization’s volunteer network is ready but needs additional hands to meet the projected demand. Board member Rabbi Herbert Brockman highlighted the community’s moral responsibility to care for the most vulnerable, saying, “Our faith calls us to act when neighbors are in crisis.”
How residents can help
Beyond financial contributions, Project Access welcomes volunteers to serve as patient navigators or community health workers. Interested New Haven residents can learn more by visiting the organization’s website or tuning into the recent interview on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven,” where Walker, Ager, and Brockman discussed the upcoming challenges.
Looking ahead
While the federal policy change is beyond local control, New Haven’s nonprofit sector is stepping up to mitigate its impact. By expanding outreach and rallying community support, Project Access‑New Haven aims to ensure that thousands of residents retain access to the health care they need, even without Medicaid coverage.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
