Connecticut House Bill HB06236

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/17
• Refer: 1/20/17

Caption

An Act Educating Assisted Living Facility Residents Regarding Influenza.

Impact

If enacted, HB 06236 would lead to a statutory requirement for assisted living facilities under Title 19a of the general statutes. This means that while facilities will need to share educational information about influenza, they are explicitly not required to provide or pay for vaccinations against it. This legislative measure reflects a growing recognition of the need to safeguard the health of senior citizens, especially those potentially at higher risk for complications from influenza.

Summary

House Bill 06236, titled 'An Act Educating Assisted Living Facility Residents Regarding Influenza', aims to improve the awareness of influenza and its vaccine among senior citizens residing in assisted living facilities. The bill mandates that these facilities provide educational materials regarding influenza to their residents. This initiative is intended to ensure that the elderly population is better informed about the importance of the influenza vaccine and the health implications associated with the virus.

Contention

Notably, the bill does not require assisted living facilities to administer the influenza vaccine or bear the financial responsibility for vaccinations, which may raise concerns regarding the extent of care that facilities are prepared to offer. Critics might argue that simply providing information is insufficient if access to vaccination is limited. This aspect of the bill could lead to discussions on the adequacy of resources and support for implementing effective health education strategies in these facilities.