NORWICH — Supreme Court nominee discussions were localized through a roundtable discussion led by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy at the United Community and Family Services administration office Wednesday morning.

The main focus of the discussion was how the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett would affect the Affordable Care Act, and what the repercussions might be for the state of Connecticut.

"The nomination is speeding through and people need to know the consequences," Murphy, D-Conn., said. "Amy Coney Barrett is going to change the court."

Jennifer Granger, CEO of United Community and Family Services in Norwich, was happy to host the outdoor discussion because of how the Affordable Care Act relates to her work.

"The Affordable Care Act is hugely important to UCFS and our clients," Granger said.

These clients include members of the Norwich community that have chronic or pre-existing conditions and those recovering from opioid usage.

Granger explained that the UCFS relies heavily on the Affordable Care Act to treat these patients. The appointment of Barrett would likely mean the Affordable Care Act would be struck down before the end of 2021, Murphy said.

"What it means for us in Connecticut is an almost immediate humanitarian crisis," Murphy said.

Over 260,000 Connecticut residents rely on the Affordable Care Act for their insurance, Murphy said. In normal times it would be devastating to lose health insurance, but during a pandemic and recession it would be even worse, he added.

"To lose insurance in the middle of a depression would be catastrophic," Murphy said.

State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and State Reps. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, and Emmett Riley, D-Norwich, participated in the discussion, providing insight into the level of financial damage repealing the law would cause.

"Connecticut doesn't have the funds to make up the gap if the Affordable Care Act is abolished," Ryan said.

Also present at the discussion were several individuals in the healthcare and addiction recovery industries, including Norwich Human Services Director Lee-Ann Gomes.

"It's not hyperbole to say people will die without insurance," Gomes said.

Gomes asked Murphy if the confirmation of Barrett as a U.S. Supreme Court justice meant abolishing the Affordable Care Act was an inevitability, to which Murphy replied with a few scenarios.

"All is not lost, but it does sort of depend on these elections," Murphy said. According to Murphy, support from just four Republicans would be enough to block the appointment of Barrett, and two are already on board: Sen. Susan Collins from Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska.

If Murphy and his constituents cannot sway two more Republican senators then there are still other options.

Legislators can work to overturn a 2017 decision that Murphy says will be the primary argument against the Affordable Care Act.

For now, the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Coney Barrett continues.