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Ellington
C A T t “ N P
State Representative Round-up
Watching, waiting on a resolution for ECHN HARTFORD — Many constituents in the 57th District have been watching the situation unfold regarding the purchase of Rockville Jaime Foster General Hospital and Manchester Memorial (Eastern Connecticut Health Network) by Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS). According to a press release from YNHHS in February 2022, the sale would include: • Manchester Memorial Hospital (ECHN) in Manchester, with 249 certified beds. • Rockville General Hospital (ECHN) in Vernon, with 102 certified beds. • Waterbury Hospital (AKA Waterbury HEALTH) in Waterbury, with 357 certified beds. ECHN and Waterbury HEALTH, with approximately 4,300 employees, would return to not-for-profit status, providing continued access to care at
their campuses and outpatient care locations. The press release also notes that the change to not-for-profit would increase access to care and health equity. The announcement was made in February 2022 that YNHHS would acquire the two health systems from Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. The sale has not yet gone through, and our small community hospitals are shifting in what they offer service-wise. Over the summer, ECHN and Waterbury HEALTH were hit by a cyberattack. Negotiations with YNHHS, Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., and the CT Office of Health Strategy briefly broke down in mid-October, but for now, appear to be back on track and further discussion is being held confidential amongst them. The health marketplace is different now, and legislators are going to have to seriously consider whether the Certificate of Need (CON) process is working, or if there are better ways of regulation to make sure that service pro-
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Area residents are waiting for resolution on the sale of ECHN to Yale New Haven Health Systems. Photo courtesy of Rep. Foster visions are maintained in a way that is not just about quantity, but quality of services. I’m also concerned for the residents of the 57th District and elsewhere who utilize and rely on these hospital systems for care and the employees who provide the care, as ECHN is a large employer in Vernon and Manchester. YNHHS approached the state, asking for $80 million ($16 million for five years) to help support the purchase of the hospital systems. The Governor’s Office issued a statement in mid-October, noting “This is a deal between two private parties with substantial resources to bring to bear. The governor is focused on investing
tax dollars in initiatives that will provide economic opportunity for all Connecticut residents, in areas such as housing, education, and childcare. In the meantime, the Office of Health Strategy will continue to move towards a resolution in a careful but expeditious manner, and our Department of Public Health will continue to ensure patient health and safety is maintained.” This is a fluid situation and there’s a delicate balance happening during negotiations. I’m interested in hearing thoughts from constituents on whether the state should assist YNHHS in the purchase if it means maintenance of services to our region. As always, I can be reached at 860240-8585 or jaime.foster@cga.ct.gov.
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