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www.HartfordBusiness.com • April 20, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 27 2020 POWER 50 Greater Hartford Congressional Delegation D emocrats have monopolized Connecticut's congressional offices, holding both U.S. Senate seats and all five House seats. Each congressional member that represents Greater Hartford has cut out their own legislative agenda. In terms of supporting industry in Greater Hartford, U.S. Rep. John Larson has been a stalwart backer of the region's defense manufacturing industry. It makes sense given that the East Hartford resident has jet-engine maker Pratt & Whitney in his back- yard. Larson also sits on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, which shapes the federal tax code. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal can often be seen on the airwaves opining about the U.S.' in- ternational relations or coronavirus response, and touting gun reform legislation or debt-free college. They were also key voices during the Trump impeachment hearings. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a former teacher, leads on advocating for equitable access to educational op- portunities, while Rep. Joe Court- ney safeguards Connecticut's farm and agricultural workforce. 3 Jeffrey Flaks W hether you're a health insurer negotiating rates or a com- peting medical provider trying to maintain market position in a quickly consolidating healthcare industry, Jeffrey Flaks holds power. Named CEO of Hartford Health- Care (HHC) last year, Flaks oversees a $4-billion statewide health system that today claims more than one of every four operating dollars collected by all Connecticut health systems combined. While he's new to the corner office, Flaks played a key part in helping build out the HHC system, climbing the ranks for years into bigger lead- ership roles, where he was groomed as a successor to former CEO Elliot Joseph, who retired last year. HHC is the second largest health system in Connecticut, behind Yale New Haven Health, and its Connecticut market share has grown of late to within just a few percentage points of the New Haven-based system. As the state's healthcare sector further concentrates, HHC, with Flaks at the helm, is almost certain to continue to be an acquiring force. First, HHC and its fellow systems must get through the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. HHC has been front-and-center in the response to the outbreak. Hartford Hospital was among the first hospitals in Connecticut to launch drive-up testing, the health system has held daily coronavirus press briefings since March, and Flaks was one of three health-sys- tem CEOs that Lamont selected to advise him on the ongoing crisis. 4 U.S. Rep. John Larson Sen. Chris Murphy Sen. Richard Blumenthal Rep. Jahana Hayes Rep. Joe Courtney