Rep. Nuccio Issues Statement After Announcement of Permanent Closure of Labor and Delivery Unit

HARTFORD – Rep. Tammy Nuccio, R-Tolland, issued the following statement after the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy’s decision to allow Johnson Memorial Hospital to permanently close its labor and delivery unit. The hospital must assess the need for a free-standing birth center in the area and maintain prenatal and postpartum services as part of an agreement with OHS.

“The closure of Johnson Memorial Hospital’s labor and delivery unit is a massive loss to families in our community, especially in rural areas where access to essential healthcare is already limited,” said Rep. Nuccio, who serves as the ranking House member of the Appropriations Committee.

She continued: “This decision prioritizes cost-cutting over the well-being of expectant mothers and newborns who will now have to drive farther to receive critical care at the most important time. And I would really like to know, why was an agreement that will create a void in patient services finalized without input from lawmakers, outside health experts, or the public, who will be impacted by this decision? We have to continue to fight to preserve access to these critical services, ensuring families in our towns can receive the quality care they need close to home and I have multiple questions about how this agreement was reached.”

Rep. Nuccio can be contacted at Tammy.Nuccio@housegop.ct.gov or (800) 842-1423 with any questions or concerns related to state government. You can also follow her legislative activity by visiting her website, www.cthousegop.com/Nuccio or on Facebook by clicking here.