CPMA Legislative Update February 2026

Agenda for Moving Podiatry Forward!

Linda Kowalski

It was all pomp and circumstance at the State Capitol in Hartford on Wednesday, February 4, as the Connecticut General Assembly convened for its 2026 legislative session.  

The day began with a well-received 2026 State of the State Address by Governor Ned Lamont. He offered several initiatives, including health care, as part of his “budget adjustments” for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2026.  

Our goal is to continue moving Podiatry forward. We have been working with Dr. Jesse Parks, DPM, and the board for several months now on the issues and bills that will be part of the legislative agenda for the session. As a result of these discussions, CPMA has a solid agenda that includes essentially three elements.  

First, our government relations team is advocating for a reimbursement increase for Podiatry in the Medicaid program. The current fees have not been increased for years. Fortunately, our government relations team worked for passage of fee parity between podiatry and physicians several years ago; there could be an increase as a result of that legislation. The challenge will be finding the new dollars in the budget to make a significant increase possible. The bottom-line is that better reimbursements will increase access to citizens who need Podiatric services.  

Second, the government relations team has requested that the Public Health committee take up the multi-state or Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact, which will make it easier for DPMs who wish to practice in multiple states. This is a relatively new issue for the profession; it is a priority of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Under the initiative, a DPM can expedite their licensure in another compact state. Again, this is designed to increase access and meet patient needs in underserved areas. So far, no states have yet approved the model bill, but we are advocating to have it considered this legislative session in Connecticut.  

Third, we will renew our efforts to level the playing field with health insurance companies by reducing the so-called “clawback” or recoupment period. Our proposal is to limit the time they can recoup medical billing payments to 12 months rather than the current 18-month period.  

The major committees of cognizance regarding these three issues are the Human Services committee on Medicaid rate reimbursement, the Public Health committee on the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact and the Insurance and Real Estate committee on claw-back or recoupment issue. We have been meeting with leaders from each committee to move our agenda forward.  

Other Issues of Interest include:  

• We are told that the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) will be proposing a bill to prevent insurers from downcoding claims. This will be something that CPMA will support. 

• Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney might be proposing a “public option” in healthcare, although there is nothing in draft form yet. Governor Lamont has talked about proposing this to take effect in the 2027 legislative session if he is re-elected. 

• There will also be a coalition on “out-of-network” (OON) reimbursement caps to provide equity to medical professionals.  

We are also monitoring closely to see if a proposal resurfaces to prohibit Podiatrists and certain other medical professionals from using the term “physician.” If it does, the team will work to defeat it, as we have succeeded in doing in recent sessions.  

A note for Doctors of Podiatric Medicine who practice or reside in New Britain, a new state Representative, Iris Sanchez, has been elected in a special election and sworn in in the 25th House District. Representative Iris Sanchez was elected to the seat previously held by now former Representative Bobby Sanchez, who was elected as city’s mayor.  

For Doctors of Podiatric Medicine who reside or practice in Ledyard, Montville or Norwich, the 139th House District, the new state Representative is Larry Pemberton, Jr. Rep. Pemberton is the first Native American elected to serve in the legislature, a member of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. He succeeds Rep. Kevin Ryan, House Deputy Speaker, who passed away after more than 3 decades of dedicated service in Connecticut General Assembly.  

Committees have begun raising concepts. Public Hearings are starting. Now the real work begins. We will keep CPMA informed.