Connecticut House Bill HB06480

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/24/11
• Refer: 2/24/11

Caption

An Act Concerning The Identification Of Connecticut Veterans Eligible For Benefits From The United States Department Of Veterans Affairs.

Impact

Once enacted, HB 6480 will lead to improved cross-agency communication that should facilitate better access to federal benefits for veterans in Connecticut. This has the potential to significantly affect the quality of care and financial support available to veterans, especially those who are also clients of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. By identifying eligible veterans and assisting them in navigating their benefits, the state could provide a more comprehensive safety net for this population.

Summary

House Bill 6480 is focused on enhancing the identification and support of Connecticut veterans who are eligible for benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill mandates that the Commissioners of Veterans' Affairs, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Social Services create a memorandum of understanding. This agreement allows these departments to share information about veterans receiving medical assistance services to assess their eligibility for additional federal benefits. The collaboration aims to streamline the process for veterans to secure the benefits they deserve, mitigating any existing gaps in service delivery.

Contention

While the bill aims to promote cooperation and improve service delivery to veterans, some stakeholders may raise concerns regarding resource allocation and privacy issues. The necessity to share sensitive information among state departments must be managed carefully to protect the confidentiality of veterans’ personal data. These discussions will likely focus on ensuring that the strategic goals of the bill are not overshadowed by concerns about bureaucratic red tape or potential misuse of shared information.