Mitch Bolinsky

Bolinsky Backs Effort to Expand Home-Based Oral Health Care

HARTFORD, CT — State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R–Newtown), Ranking Member of the State’s Aging Committee, voiced strong support for a consensus committee bill that will expand access to routine, preventative oral health care services to include homebound Connecticut residents. At a press conference hosted by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI), Rep. Bolinsky joined fellow lawmakers, dental professionals, and advocates in urging passage of House Bill 5303 . The proposal would allow licensed dental hygienists to provide preventive oral health care directly in patients’ homes. The bill, which passed unanimously out of the Aging Committee, would permit hygienists with at least two years of experience to deliver services—including cleanings, oral exams, X-rays, and referrals—in private residences under the same standards currently applied in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and group homes. “This is exactly the kind of common-sense legislation that our Aging Committee always agrees upon, and the reason we pass so much good, non-partisan policy”, said Rep. Bolinsky , who continued, “There’s never a bill that passes out of this committee with surprises. We keep things simple by focusing on the well-being of our Seniors, as well as expanding the “portability” of Aging-in-Place services for folks that may otherwise be unable to access preventative care. We also engage our stakeholders early, knowing many of them will be the ultimate administrators of the programs we make portable. It’s this kind of transparency, and genuinely open idea-exchange that helps our committee pass our priority bills with unanimous, or near unanimous support. This “unity of purpose” makes our team very special.” Aging committee Co-Chair, Representative Jane Garibay (D–Windsor/Windsor Locks), kicked-off the event, by emphasizing the importance of removing barriers to care for vulnerable populations, and Dr. Frank Amaefuna , a CT dentist and COHI board member spoke in support saying, “When patients go years without seeing a dental professional, they are more likely to experience preventable issues - this legislation creates a pathway to reach those patients before small issues become serious health problems.” Research confirms that untreated oral health issues can contribute to serious medical conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Allowing care in the home will improve early detection and reduce preventable health complications for countless residents, from our homebound seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, to residents facing transportation barriers. According to DataHaven, approximately 400,000 Connecticut adults experience transportation insecurity, and nearly half have not seen a dentist in the past year. Among Medicaid-enrolled adults, that number rises to 50 percent. Bolinsky concluded , “Our homebound seniors, veterans, and disabled deserve access to the same quality of care as the rest of us. HB-5303 makes this possible without creating new state programs or mandates, plus, performing preventative care has been shown to ultimately reduce system-wide cost by heading off more intensive, more dangerous surgical or coronary care. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and COHI, taking this step to improve outcomes and quality of life with this simple initiative.” HB-5303 has received bipartisan support, and is amassing bipartisan co-sponsors, including Reps Bolinsky and Garibay. It is currently awaiting action on the House floor.

Rep. Bolinsky Celebrates Reading with Newtown Students

NEWTOWN – On Monday morning, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) visited Head o’ Meadow School in Newtown as a guest in the school’s Mystery Reader program celebration. During his visit, Rep. Bolinsky read " Carl and the Meaning of Life " with Mrs. Kuligowski’s kindergarten class. The book was written by Connecticut author Deborah Freedman and is beautifully illustrated. During, and after reading, he spoke with the bright-eyed, curious class members about the book’s theme of kindness, connectivity and how even the smallest contributions to our community can make a big difference in bettering the lives of so many. “I’ve always believed that a good book has a way of bringing people together. A story like Carl’s can, in the purest way, teach us how, together, we all contribute to making our town a flourishing, growing, healthy and wonderful place by just doing our parts. I really think the class came away with an understanding that even the smallest things cannot be taken for granted. It was a very cool morning!” said Rep. Bolinsky. Bolinsky’s strong connections to Head ‘o Meadow began nearly 26 years ago, when his daughter and son attended the neighborhood school, at which he also spent 11-years as a Cub Scout Pack 470 Leader, its Cubmaster, and then, its Pack Committee Chair. As Cubmaster, Pack 470 grew to become Newtown’s single largest Scouting unit at the time, serving 106 Head o’ Meadow families. In his 14 th year as Newtown’s State Representative, Bolinsky concluded with a reflection. “Sharing a story with these students—especially in a school that means so much to my own family—made the experience even more special. Reading to children just sparks their imaginations, opening the door to the real power of kindness and connection. I’m so thankful to the teachers and staff at Head O’Meadow for creating an environment where that love of learning grows every day.”

Bolinsky Connecticut Alzheimer's Advocacy Day

Bolinsky Connecticut Alzheimer's Advocacy Day HARTFORD- In a room packed with Alzheimer’s advocates, family members and state officials, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), attended the Alzheimer’s Association’s’ 2026 ‘Day of Advocacy’ at the State Capitol today. Bolinsky thanked all advocates, and fellow Connecticut state lawmakers for their past support, and asked for their continued support in building future legislation in the state’s Aging, and Human Services Committees. The advocacy day is designed to inspire all legislators to take action on key Alzheimer’s priorities to improve the lives of Connecticut residents, their families, and caregivers of facing dementia and related brain-health diseases. Rep. Bolinsky, the ranking member of the Aging Committee and who, along with his wife, cared for three-parents over a 10-year journey, said a few words about his family’s experiences, displaying a young photo of his late father, emphasizing the critical role families play in the care of loved ones. He then asked his Aging Committee Co-Chairs to the podium and thanked them for their bipartisan partnership, referring to the committee as one that “works in ways that set a high bar for legislative accomplishment and collaborative style” to support caregivers and improve the lives of Connecticut's aging community. “Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease that steals memories, independence and, far too often, the peace of mind for families who are already carrying so much,” said Rep Bolinsky. “I know this struggle personally. My own father battled Alzheimer’s for 7-years. Seeing someone you love slowly lose pieces of themselves is something no family is ever truly prepared for. Today’s Advocacy Day was a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a real Connecticut family facing a similar heartbreaking journey. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to support policies that expand resources, improve care, and ensure families dealing with dementia know they are not alone.”

Bolinsky Earns 2025 AARP Legislative Achievement Award for Third Consecutive Year

HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) has been named a recipient of the 2025 AARP Legislative Achievement Award by AARP Connecticut , marking the third consecutive year he has received the honor. The award recognizes Rep. Bolinsky’s leadership in ensuring high-quality care for residents of long-term care facilities and his continued advocacy on behalf of Connecticut’s older adults and their families. In a letter announcing the award, Nora Duncan , State Director of AARP Connecticut, commended Rep. Bolinsky for his dedication to policies that help ensure residents—especially older adults—feel welcome, safe, and comfortable in their homes and care facilities. “I am deeply humbled to once again receive the AARP Legislative Achievement Award,” said Rep. Bolinsky, Ranking Member of the Aging Committee . “Connecticut’s seniors deserve dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care. I remain committed to supporting policies that protect our most vulnerable residents and strengthen the services families rely on.” Rep. Bolinsky has been a long-time, vocal, advocate for seniors, focusing on issues including long-term care standards, support for family caregivers, and strengthening nursing home oversight to ensure accountability and quality outcomes in residential facilities. “Receiving this recognition three years in a row is especially meaningful in terms of our Aging Committee’s commitment to the state’s growing population of older residents, and the growing number of families who care for them.” Bolinsky added, “This would not be possible without a genuine dedication, and the teamwork needed to keep moving the ball forward. It’s an honor to serve with the women and men of the legislature’s most collaborative, bipartisan committee - especially with my Democratic Co-Chairs Rep. Jane Garibay and Senator Jane Hochadel. They are fabulous partners in maintaining our focus on addressing the concerns of older residents and their loved ones.” AARP represents nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut and advocates for policies that improve the quality of life for residents age 50 and older.

Bolinsky, Foncello Talk Budget, Seniors, and Local Priorities at Newtown Lunch & Learn

Bolinsky, Foncello Talk Budget, Seniors, and Local Priorities at Newtown Lunch & Learn NEWTOWN — Over afternoon pizza and plenty of straight talk, State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) sat down with local seniors last week for a Pre-Session Lunch & Learn to recap what Hartford accomplished last year — and what still needs fixing. The gathering at the Newtown Senior Center felt less like a formal presentation and more like neighbors catching up around the kitchen table, with the lawmakers walking folks through what they call the “nuts and bolts” of state government. Bolinsky kicked things off by explaining that 2026 is a budget adjustment year at the Capitol. As members of the Appropriations Committee, both he and Foncello said they plan to keep a close eye on state spending. “We need to be watchdogs for taxpayers,” Bolinsky said, noting that every dollar matters, especially for residents on fixed incomes. He also highlighted several wins from the legislature’s Aging Committee, including passage of a biomarker testing law aimed at catching Alzheimer’s disease and many cancers earlier, allowing positive outcomes — something many families in the room said hits close to home. In telling the story behind the “The Biomarker Bill”, Bolinsky joked about how unpredictable, and tense, the legislative process can be, sharing how last-minute changes, call “rats” are often inserted into great bill like this one, causing some supporters to change solid ‘YEA’ votes to reluctant ‘NAYS’. He explained that this pitfall is an everyday occurrence behind closed doors in Hartford and can result in ‘minutes before midnight negotiations’ to remove these “legislative rats” to avoid loss of a good policy bill, noting that, in the end, this one passed unanimously. Bolinsky quipped — “That’s sometimes how the sausage gets made in Hartford. “I’ve become great at spotting and exterminating rats!” Both lawmakers agreed that helping seniors age in place remains a top priority. They discussed pushing to remove public benefits charges from electric bills and continuing efforts to eliminate waste and fraud to stretch taxpayer dollars further. Several attendees voiced frustration about large, last-minute “aircraft carrier” bills that bundle many issues together, making it hard to know exactly what lawmakers are voting on. Bolinsky and Foncello said they share those concerns and support more transparency in the process. Foncello turned the conversation toward education funding, calling special education costs one of the biggest pressures facing towns like Newtown. “Local school budgets are often the largest part of a town’s expenses,” he said. “We can’t spend more than we take in, so we’ve got to set priorities and make sure Hartford is doing its part.” He advocated for updating the state’s Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula to reflect inflation and better support local districts. He also spoke about the need for improvements to the early voting system to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. The discussion wrapped up with questions about animal welfare legislation, including last year’s proposed puppy mill ban. Both lawmakers explained they didn’t co-sponsor the bill after late changes raised concerns, and noted it ultimately stalled. They said they would consider supporting new legislation if it comes forward clean and straightforward. By the end of the afternoon, the tone was clear: practical, local, and focused on everyday concerns. “These conversations are what matter most,” Foncello said. “We work for you, and hearing directly from you helps guide what we fight for in Hartford.” Bolinsky agreed. “It’s always better when we can talk face-to-face. That’s how good ideas start.” Residents with questions or suggestions are encouraged to reach out to their offices or attend future community events.